Prime minister hails sanitation workers as 'unsung heroes' before Tet
With garbage rising sharply before Tet, Hanoi mobilizes round-the-clock cleanup efforts while Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh calls for stronger public awareness and better support for sanitation workers.
THE HANOI TIMES — Sanitation workers make silent sacrifices that keep the city clean and healthy, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said on February 15, praising their quiet dedication as an honorable service to the nation during a meeting with environmental officials and workers in Hanoi.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets Hanoi sanitation workers on February 15. Photos: VGP
He praised their efforts in improving the capital’s environment and preparing a bright, green and clean setting for the 2006 Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations.
Meeting workers and asking about their lives and Tet plans, the prime minister thanked the “silent green-shirt soldiers” who sacrifice personal time for the city’s cleanliness and public health.
He urged them to maintain professional dedication and encourage residents to dispose of waste properly, sort trash at the source and join community cleanups.
Such efforts protect public health and reflect the principle that people participate and people benefit, he said.
Chinh told workers to take pride in their demanding yet honorable job and called on the public to raise environmental awareness to ease their burden.
He urged Hanoi authorities and Hanoi Urban Environment One Member Limited Liability Company (URENCO) to invest in modern equipment and technology to mechanize waste collection, reduce heavy labor and limit pollution.
Agencies and enterprises should ensure fair pay, bonuses, regular health checks and improved working conditions, he added.
URENCO Deputy General Director Nguyen Thanh Son said waste volumes rise 40% to 100% above normal levels in the days before Tet.
The company has mobilized vehicles and equipment to clear all waste daily, increased staff and intensified sweeping, vacuuming and street washing, he said.
Workers also assist residents in cleaning flower and traditional markets after closing and maintain sanitation at fireworks sites, Son said.
According to the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, Hanoi generates an estimated 9,500-10,500 tons of waste per day during the pre-Tet period, up 30%-50% from normal levels, placing heavy pressure on the city’s system.
In Van Dinh, Ung Thien, Hoa Xa and Ung Hoa communes, daily waste has surged about 170% to 160-170 tons, forcing workers to extend shifts and work overnight.
Nguyen Xuan Quy, Head of the Solid Waste Management Division at the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, said waste peaks before Tet due to increased consumption, especially food production and sales.
Shopping and stockpiling habits raise the use of packaging, plastic bags and disposable containers while many households replace furniture and appliances, adding bulky waste, he said.
Nguyen Minh Tan, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, said the city has directed agencies and local authorities to implement a comprehensive sanitation plan for Tet.
Communes and wards have organized large-scale cleanups, cleared waste hotspots, increased collection frequency and assigned staff on duty throughout the holiday.
In Ha Dong Ward, residents maintain weekly Saturday cleanups. Local organizations mobilize members to keep neighborhoods tidy and orderly.
The prime minister gives sanitation workers lucky money gifts, calling them "unsung heroes" for keeping the capital clean.
In Tien Thang Commune, Party officials oversee specific roads and residential areas, urging residents to clean streets, trim vegetation and remove debris before the new year.
Environmental companies remain central to waste collection efforts. Hanoi-based waste treatment facilities work around the clock to process all daily disposals and monitor transport vehicles to prevent incidents.
Nguyen Quang Dinh, Director of Urban Works Enterprise No. 1 in Ung Hoa Commune under the Song Hong Urban Environment JSC, said the unit maintains two daily shifts from 5 AM to 6 PM between February 7 and February 28.
“All workers extend shifts by 60 minutes. On February 16, the final day of the Lunar year, we deploy full manpower and equipment to clear all waste before closing,” he said.
URENCO representatives said teams operate in continuous shifts before Tet, with extra staff assigned to central streets, flower markets and entertainment areas. Vehicles remain on standby to handle unexpected waste surges.
The company has added 69 modern vehicles, including electric units, increased shifts and intensified sweeping and washing.
It operates around the clock and monitors operations through smart cameras and GPS systems to respond quickly to environmental incidents.
