A netizen in Changsha, Hunan province, posted a photo on his micro blog of a street cleaner receiving treatment for an illness while on duty on National Day. The photo was widely circulated online and drew heated discussion, says an article in Southern Metropolis Daily. Excerpts:

We are moved by those sanitation workers who though ill still perform their duties, but we should also consider why China's street cleaners, who work in a difficult environment with a heavy workload for long hours, still have a lower than normal social status and are severely underpaid. In reality, they dare not go to hospital when they are sick as taking time off work would mean losing pay.

At present, every Chinese city has a minimum wage level which is supposed to guarantee an income for low-paid workers. However, this standard is now being used by some unscrupulous companies, especially sanitation companies, as the justification for paying their workers the minimum possible. As a result, to earn more money, some street cleaners ask for overtime regardless of whether they are tired or ill.

For street cleaners, their heavy workload and hardship have not earned them more pay and respect, instead, their wages are among the lowest. The life of these "indispensable city beauticians" should be improved. The authorities should do more to take effective measures to increase wage standards and protect sanitation workers' legitimate rights.

(China Daily 10/09/2012 page9)