Meet Dubai’s 'cleaning engineers' carrying pride and purpose behind world’s cleanest city

Dubai: They are the quiet force behind Dubai’s gleam. Referred to as ‘cleaning engineers,’ Dubai Municipality’s sanitation staff are celebrated in a new video shared on X by the civic body.

It reveals the human stories and tireless commitment that uphold Dubai’s global reputation for cleanliness. This year, for the fifth consecutive time, Dubai bagged the title of the cleanest city in the world, according to the Global Power City Index.

“We work around the clock to keep the city clean,” says a municipal worker at the opening of the video, which follows several cleaning engineers through their shifts from dawn until night.

Dressed in bright orange uniforms labelled ‘Cleaning Engineer,’ workers are seen boarding buses at 6.30am, exchanging greetings as they head to duty points across the city.

Junaid Shafek, featured in the early morning segment, says: “I enjoy visiting the market and I love seeing it clean,” referring to his assigned area at the historic Dubai Souk.

The next cleaning engineer’s introduction begins with the comment, “I love my work.” Then appears Mahboub during the afternoon shift at Dubai Creek.

“Every day we are coming to Dubai Creek to clean the water canal,” he says. He is shown removing litter from the water before delivering a valuable message: “Everyone plays a role in keeping the environment clean.”

The night shift brings Mohamad Islam into view. With 12 years of service to the municipality, he says at 9pm: “Tonight, I'm on the night shift. I drive this beach vehicle and collect garbage bags along the shore.”

With pride in his work, he adds: “I'm proud that Dubai is the cleanest city in the world.”

Mahboub echoes the sentiment: “I'm proud to call Dubai my home,” he says.

Junaid adds, saying: “It makes me proud to play a part in keeping Dubai clean.”

The municipality has reminded residents that in a city that never sleeps, dedicated hands like those of these workers keep it clean 24/7.

In a statement accompanying the video, the civic body added: “The cleanliness and appeal of Dubai is a responsibility we all share. Together, we maintain its status as one of the world’s most vibrant, clean, and sustainable cities.”

Their dedication is more than symbolic. It is measurable as per the cleanest city title that Dubai has earned with their hard work.

The city employs more than 3,200 cleaners and operates over 800 modern vehicles and equipment to uphold hygiene standards year-round.