A janitor speaks.

Byline: Ghulam Shakir - Karachi

I HAVE penned these lines on behalf of a janitor who works in my neighbourhood. He says that he is thankful to the residents of DHA and Clifton for him being employed by the Clifton Cantonment Board although on contract basis. The janitor has also given vent to some of his woes.

He says that he wears slippers instead of safety shoes and covers his nose and mouth with a muffler instead of a mask. When the mercury drops he also covers his head with the same muffler.

The janitor picks up dirt and debris with his bare hands, and every now and then also carts away the carcasses of dead animals with his naked hands. For his toil from morning till evening he is paid Rs12,000 per month instead of the minimum legal wage of Rs17,500. He is eternally grateful to the CBC for this kindness and does not grudge them the fact that he is denied a pension, as well as EOBI and social security payments.

The janitor also stays quiet when his salary is deducted for taking a day off for falling sick...