This is a clear picture of those who never came to the font, but always play the most important and key role from behind. While all the residents and visitors across Dubai involved themselves in the celebration of the beginning of 2024, as it was declared as a paid holiday on Jan 1, there are many unsung heroes have been spotted on the roads, working by involving all their hearts out and keeping their heads down to maintain the cleanliness across the Emirate.

The street cleaners assigned by Dubai Municipality and other private entities belong to those who are the most important part and equally responsible for the reputation of the city. Dubai is also known as one of the cleanest cities in the world, and the workers are the reason behind the cleanliness across the city. However, their hard work often doesn’t pay back well, always stays behind the picture, and remains unnoticed. But at the end of the day, they are the ones who are the ultimate strength of the city.

One of those cleaners who have been involved with this work for the past 20 years, Ahmed Jamal, Who is a Bangladeshi expat said this year was the 20th day of the new year in the city, and he worked for most of the new year without skipping it. According to him, it now feels like a routine. He also said, that as he cleans the street daily, hence it is somewhere that troubles him to see the streets dirty and covered with garbage. Like that, he picks up all his weapons, the grabbing tools, and works harder to leave fresh and clean looks on the street. Ahmed Jamal started with the cleaning process at 9 a.m. and covered a distance of 5 km in Deira. He cleaned the by-lanes, and main streets across ‘Fish Roundabout’. He completed his work, and by that time watch was ticking and telling it was noon. This is only 40 percent of his work, and further, he cleaned all the by-lans on the street.

Jamal is grateful for his job. He equally managed one of his daughters to get married. He wishes to fulfill the same for the other two daughters of him with this job.

There is another worker, Mohammed Akmal who involved himself in the mission of keeping the streets of Dubai clean, throughout each day of the year. He has been doing this work continuously for 12 years in a row. According to him, not only one particular day, or new year, as a responsible citizen it is all about keeping the roads clean. He is a road cleaner in Satwa.

He also added, that on this very auspicious moment, the joyful moment of celebrations, there are many who have littered knowingly or unknowingly. But he is not bothered, as he is at the service to rectify the mistakes.

He also added some benefits of working as a cleaner. According to him, this work gives him a better and healthier life, as he walks for almost 10 km per day. He doesn’t feel tired once after putting his headphones on. He takes a break thrice a day and during the break time he enjoys tea, lunch and rest in the noon.

Shawkath Ali, who is a Pakistani expat keeps the surroundings clear just like hiking in the hills. The moment before the residents started celebrating New Year’s Eve, Shawkath Ali was all got ready with his picker tools and bags in the hills of Hatta.

On the day of New Year’s Eve, Shawkath Ali started handing out garbage bags to the people who came to celebrate New Year’s Eve. He was the one who encouraged the visitors to use the garbage bags and collect them later. Somehow, this initiative reduced the stress of cleaning the city at least a bit.

He said, “People who come to Hatta for hiking are responsible now. At times they forget their garbage bags. I go around distributing the bags so that they can dispose of the garbage in the bags and I can collect these bags later. Many people had gathered in the hills to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. Initially, I was concerned about the daunting task of cleaning up the area. However, I’m grateful that the individuals present took the initiative to clear everything and properly dispose of the trash in the bags I provided to them.”

The developers of Emaar have shown gratitude and respect by appreciating the endless effort of the staff assigned to clean the city. The authority of Emaar has posted a video on their official social media on the way those cleaning staff gifted clean areas in downtown Dubai within no time, right after the celebration of New Year’s Eve. 

The video, they have shared shows a clear picture of the after-celebration. While the crowd was leaving the celebration areas, how the cleaners took action immediately and rescued the shine on Dubai Downtown.

The video posted by Emaar says, “Hats off to our dedicated team for their outstanding efforts in swiftly restoring Downtown Dubai Dubai to its original state after the event. Their hard work ensured a smooth continuity of activities for nearby residents, visitors, and businesses. A heartfelt thank you for your commitment and efficiency.”