Sunday 09 / March / 2025
Muscat: Distributing water and Laban (yoghurt) among thirsty blue-collar workers toiling in the sun during the Oman summer is now an annual event for members of Prateekhsa Oman (Hope Oman), a Muscat-based charity run by expats.
Since 2013, every Friday and Saturday during the summer months, dozens of members from the charity travel to different parts of Muscat to distribute water and yoghurt among the thirsty workers.
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“We believe that distributing water and Laban among thirsty workers is the best we can do,” Najeeb K Moideen Edathuruthy, the general convener of the organisation, told the Times of Oman.
“We all see them toiling under the scorching sun when we travel in air conditioned cars. At least let us do this to help them. Only a thirsty worker knows the importance of water. Then we will know how valuable a bottle of water or a packet of Laban is for them,” Edathuruthy added.
The members of the organisations divide themselves into different groups and travel up to Barka on Fridays and Saturdays where they hand out drinks throughout the day.
“We know that the majority of common migrant workers need different kinds of help. We do the best we can. Distributing water may not be a big help in terms of money, but we are sure that in terms of help, it is not small,” Edathuruthy added.
Temperatures in Oman usually hover around 48 degrees Celsius during summer.
Last Tuesday, the Ministry of Manpower had announced that a mid-day break, for those working in open areas and elevated areas, which will begin in June and continue through August.
