A work stoppage by 120 cleaners in Taif has led to the accumulation of waste at four government hospitals, raising concerns this can lead to an environmental disaster. In protest at not being paid for more than six months, the cleaners stopped their daily cleaning at Missan, Al-Gra'a, Al-Sahn and Al-Moya hospitals in Taif. Saeed Al-Zahrani, spokesman for the General Directorate of Health in Taif, said the directorate has nothing to do with the suspension of cleaning at these hospitals because the directorate pays the contractor regularly. In fact, the directorate always helps to solve the problems of the contractors which do not fulfill their commitments, claimed Al-Zahrani. However, an official at the contractor which employs the cleaners has blamed the directorate for the workers' protest claiming it has not received its dues since March. He alleged that the directorate has not paid its dues for six months. The contractor has managed to pay part of the outstanding salaries, claimed the official.
