Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 04, 2018 (SKNIS): Garbage collectors in St. Kitts and Nevis are unsung heroes, says Keithley Phillip, General Manager of the Solid Waste Corporation (SWMC), noting that these collectors deserve much more credit than they get.
Mr. Phillip called for respect for the garbage loaders, as they, he said, take pride in a job that many would not want to do.
He added that there was an incident where an older woman refused to be helped by the collector as she complained about his smell. The general manager said that no one should be treated in such a manner, especially when they go above and beyond to do their work.
It was reported by Mr. Phillip that these individuals are seen as “only garbage collectors,” but they are much more. They are in fact an integral part of the country.
The general manager stated that if the collectors did not do their work, tourism would be negatively affected. He added that tourists expect to visit a clean island and the collectors have done an excellent job in securing the tourism product.
“We can build two or three new piers, but if the place is dirty no one will visit, no cruise ship will come regardless of how many piers we build,” he said, making reference to the second cruise pier that is under construction and is scheduled to be completed in September 2019.
Mr. Phillip emphasized that persons should be respectful of an individual’s employment choice.
“You would not want anyone to come on your job and disrespect your job, so we are asking persons to help the guys in order to make their jobs simpler,” he said, noting that persons should ensure that their garbage is placed outside their gates in plastic bins.
Notably, sanitation workers are honoured each year by Pastor Lincoln Hazell’s Apostolic Church on St. Johnston’s Avenue in Basseterre. The church held the 16th Annual Sanitation Workers Appreciation Day on Sunday, September 9th, 2018.
