ED: Cleaning up the city

Kudos to the workers who, despite the threat of Covid-19 being more prevalent than ever, have worked tirelessly to ensure that Dhaka city will not have to endure the consequences of the waste generated for weeks on end in the aftermath of the animal sacrifices of Eid-ul-Azha.

As reported, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) removed over 32,251 tons of sacrificial animal waste from the city, employing over 21,000 workers to undertake this mammoth task.

It is these workers who deserve most credit -- lingering animal waste could have had disastrous consequences for the health and hygiene of the capital city, and the fact that over 90% of animal waste was disposed of within a week is testament to the commitment of these workers.

Not only is this an extremely difficult and unpleasant task, but in the midst of the latest wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is also extremely dangerous. These workers have also foregone their Eid celebrations and spending time with their family, all to ensure that the city of Dhaka, after its festivities, does not suffer the adverse consequences that usually arise from them in the form of animal waste.

Too often, as the pandemic rages on, we have forgotten about the workers, be they in the RMG industry keeping our economy afloat, the farmers who ensure that we remain fed, or those responsible for keeping our cities clean. Moving forward, we hope that the authorities concerned recognize that without their efforts, Bangladesh will cease to function. As such, the government must go beyond mere promises, and provide adequate compensation and facilities.