'When people leave happy because of you, it makes all the effort worth it'
Dubai - People who do their jobs be in the scorching heat in the UAE go through the turmoil to bring happiness to their families.
Published: Thu 3 Aug 2017, 9:07 PM
Last updated: Thu 3 Aug 2017, 11:17 PM
While the UAE residents seek to stay indoors to avoid the summer heat that reaches up to 50 degree Celsius, a number of jobs require working for long hours outdoors.
Lovelace Tteh, a car mechanic from Ghana, works for eight hours fixing tyres and general car problems at a petrol station in Dubai. "This is my job, even back home. I'm a mechanic and I'll always remain a mechanic," smiled Tteh, who supports his mother, wife and three-year-old son back home. "We face this temperature every year and we cope with it."
Coming to the UAE two years ago, Tteh copes with the heat through resting when the day isn't busy. "Our employers give us health talks on how to deal with the heat. We take rest if we ever feel dizzy during the day no matter how busy it is and drink water before getting back to it." He added, "I get into an air conditioned place when I'm not working, as to give my body some rest."
The best part of the job, Tteh said, is meeting someone whose car in bad condition and solving their problem without even knowing them. "When people leave happy because of you, it makes all the effort worth it."
Tolerate and stay hydrated
Mohammed Mashin Ali from Bangladesh has been washing cars at malls across Dubai ever since he arrived to the country nine years ago. He said while the heat can be tiring during the summer at parking spaces, but he has to tolerate the weather to achieve the target that the company imposes.
"It is too hot but I have to hit the target of washing 217 cars a month to get paid," said Ali who gets paid Dh1,000 a month. If he did not achieve the target, he said he receives Dh800.
"Once I send my family money back home and they're happy with it, then I'm happy, no problem," said Ali who supports his mother and siblings who reside in Bangladesh.
Echoing similar thoughts was his colleague Sugan Biwas from Bangladesh who said what makes his job worthwhile is knowing that the money he earns will support his family back home. He said while business tends to be slow during the summer, he tries to achieve his 217-car target during the eight-hour shift.
"I like it when people are leaving with clean cars, which is why I love what I do," said Biwas, who has been working as a car cleaner for the past eight years. "Every job has the good and bad. Our job's bad part is the heat," laughed Biwas.
For 58-year-old Kamal Saadi, a Dubai Municipality cleaner who has been in the profession for the last 18 years, said the weather is part of his job and that it should be faced with patience.
"The climate is difficult, but like other jobs, we have to be patient and tolerate it." The father of four daughters, who works in Al Mamzar Beach from 5am to 12pm, said keeping the environment clean makes him feel comfortable with the job. "Knowing that I am contributing positively to the place I live makes me happy," he said. As the weather gets hot, he stressed the importance of staying hydrated.
Protection is priority
Pakistani national Imran Masoud has been a security officer at American University of Sharjah for four years. He said while having parking duties might pose difficulties, employers provide him with umbrellas and relievers. Now security officers around campus are provided with air-conditioned cabins that help with their 12-hour shift.
"We like it when we are given actual responsibilities, not just treated as security guards who sit around all the time. This is why we like our jobs here," said Masoud, father of three children. He added that it motivates him when people smile or call him "officer.
"My message to people is not to think we are just security guards who sit around all day. Treat guards with respect because they are humans who may not be taking enough food, or feeling tired, yet they have the responsibility of protecting you and your property," said Masoud.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com
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