Just as the supply of water, electricity and telephones are important for a home, so is a gas cylinder. It is common to see the orange-coloured trucks carrying gas cylinders, honking and roaming the neighbourhood. Sometimes, they are seen early morning in every corner of the country. These trucks are parked in a particular location known to the people of that area. People are used to the sound every morning. These trucks wait for customers who want to replace their empty cylinders. Some families prefer to call a particular gas supplier. They prefer home delivery services to replace their gas cylinder. With a phone call they get a new gas cylinder delivered at their doorstep.
What is pleasing and inspiring is to see Omanis working in this business, although it is a tough way to make a living. Yet, many Omani youths involved in this business persevere since it’s the main source of income for them and their families.
Some of them don’t have a choice as they do not have the relevant qualifications that can get them employed in either government or private organisations.
On the contrary, some Omanis working in gas selling business are happy with what they are doing.
They started some years ago and they have never thought of giving up this exhausting job. It is a matter of loving the work they do or serving society in their own way while at the same time making a living.
For instance, an Omani youth working in this business for more than eight years says: “It is a hard job to go everyday driving a truck in the streets and roaming to sell gas cylinders. It is quite difficult, but it is profitable. I have got used to it. Not everyone can work in this field because it requires patience and strength”.
These Omani youths believe in the adage ‘No pain, no gain’. Since he started this business, he is able to balance his work and social life. He works 11 to 12 hours a day and six days a week.
Another gas cylinder seller said with pride: “I don’t regret working in this gas-selling business. There is nothing to be ashamed of. People cannot live without gas and I am their supplier.”
Despite the increase in the number of street gas sellers who depend on this business for their livelihood, it can be noticed gas sellers classify themselves in different districts and in certain groups.
They gather early morning, waiting for customers’ calls for the delivery of gas cylinder. However, some gas sellers spend a few hours roaming between houses to catch customers looking for gas cylinders.
Some sellers of gas cylinders do it, not out of love for the job, but out of necessity. Perhaps, they wish to have a more proper job than this, but there is no other choice than carrying and pushing these huge metal cylinders. It is tiring to carry a 22-kg cylinder, with a big cylinder weighing 44 kg.
However, it is the only way by which they can make a living so they can feed themselves and their family. Installing cylinders at houses is very hard and dangerous as some deliveries are to be given to people living in multi-storeyed buildings. Thus, gas cylinder suppliers refuse to carry gas cylinders on their backs if there is no elevator in the building.
A salute to all the young Omanis who spare no effort in making a living the hard way. May Allah bless them all and grant them good health and prosperity.
Abdulaziz Al Jahdhami
aljahdhami22@gmail.com
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