Sanitation workers, public works staff and others were praised in the House of Assembly for their dedication to the community despite record rainfall.

Wayne Caines, the PLP backbencher, said that despite more than a month of heavy rain, workers continued to face the elements to ensure that trash was collected and potholes were repaired.

“Without fanfare, without congratulations, they simply got on with their jobs in the most challenging of circumstances,” he said.

Mr Caines said that he spoke to one trash collector last Monday, who said that the work for the past month had been particularly challenging because of the conditions they face.

“He said they are battling the elements. They are battling with colds,” he said. “In many cases, they were battling influenza and it was difficult in some circumstances dealing with less-than-gracious homeowners.

“He went on to share that sometimes they face dog faeces, dead animals, acid and other hazardous materials.”

Mr Caines added that while many have complained about potholes on Bermuda’s roads, an issue that had been worsened by the heavy rain, workers had been out to address the complaints.

He said that while driving he saw someone shout at a worker pouring asphalt into a pothole that it was “about time”.

“She screamed out to a man standing there filling a pothole, doing his job, on his post,” Mr Caines said.

“I looked at his blackened uniform, his hands covered in gloves, his bespectacled face, his hard hat.

“He didn’t shake his fist in her face. He didn’t lament how impolite and rude she was. He simply continued to do his job.”

Mr Caines said the efforts put forward by the workers to benefit the community should be recognised and valued, along with teachers, construction workers, hotel workers, bus drivers, taxi drivers and others who work hard despite the challenges they face every day.

“As much as we herald those in international business and law, you make it possible,” he said. “We are a country that is built off of the hard work of the men and women of this country, the working men and women of this country.”