Dubai: Around 300 cleaners from Dubai Municipality were honoured and given gifts by the Pakistan Youth Forum (PYF) of the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) on Thursday as an appreciation and recognition of their hard work.
The cleaners were facilitated at their accommodation in Al Warsan area during the ‘Shukran (Thank You) Our City, Our Cleaners’ event, which was supported by Dubai Municipality and the Community Development Authority.
The PYF said it had never organised such an event before and wanted to reach out to cleaners for keeping Dubai spotless. The idea was initiated by PYF chairperson Jameela Haq. The programme also came in line with ongoing Ramadan initiatives by PAD, its joint secretary Tahir Zaidi said.
Cleaners said they were touched by the programme and thanked the PYF and PAD for the gifts.
“It’s so comforting to know the community recognises and values the work that we do. The Dubai government is already doing a good job of taking care of us and it’s wonderful to also receive such moral support and encouragement from ordinary residents,” said Ahmad Jahangir, 28, a Pakistan cleaner who has been with the municipality for three years. Member of the PAD Suhail Ashraf added: “I came here today to rally for the cleaners, who often go unrecognised. It feels good to share the gifts and happiness together as one community of residents.”
Cleaners received toiletries to help them beat the heat and stay fresh, refreshments and won Umrah tickets in a raffle. The gifts were supported by corporate sponsors, including Cool&Cool and IFFCO.
The PYF often carries out community initiatives. On Sunday, its Fast for a Cause event raised Dh100,000 in support of school fees for struggling families.
The event, held at the Pakistan Auditorium inside PAD, saw over 250 members of the Pakistani community come together to break their fast and support education. The venue hosted an iftar buffet for the community members. Proceeds from the table and individual seats bookings are being used to clear off pending school fees of many Pakistani students.
The PAD regularly receives applications requesting for financial support towards education fees of Pakistani students in the UAE.
