GetReal!
The Bad Impression on Cleaners

Being a cleaner is the last thing on everyone's mind. Everyone strive to get a high paying jobs like lawyer, accountant or doctor. Nobody would ever think of being a cleaner.

Allow me to change your perspective of the cleaning industry. After watching Get Real! in Channel News Asia, I came to a conclusion that cleaners are one of the most noble jobs around.

Muhammad Jasmani, an ITE student, became a cleaner to gain experience. I was attracted to his saying that " We should be proud to be able to keep the place clean".

Without cleaners, our country would not be known for its cleaniness.

Foreigners from India and Malaysia also played a part in keeping our country clean and green. When being asked about them being cleaners, they were not ashamed. A Malaysian man added," I earn an honest living. I don't steal or rob." Our 34 year old cleaner also made the same statement. Once, she brought her son, who is 12 years old, to come and observe her at work. Her son, was a spendthrift then, realised how taxing it was for his mother to work hard in order to support him. In addition, he promised his mother to study hard so that she would lead a better life when she is old.


The oldest cleaner is 78 years old. She once worked in Mcdonalds but then was forced to retire due to over age limit. She decided to work in a restaurant as she was bored at home.

Diana Ser tried out as a cleaner for 6 hours. Through her experience, it was quite a tedious job as she had to stand for 6 hours straight. It was a wonder how the old lady managed to cope.

Be it cleaners or rubbish collecters, we should have a sense of graditute rather than looking down on them. Facing the rubbish and atrocious smell is bad enough. Especially when you have to deal with it everyday.

I salute all the cleaner out there!