As more people stay home during the Circuit Breaker (CB), one result has been an increase in the amount of waste generated.

So much so that a HDB cleaning supervisor in April called for residents not to engage in spring cleaning during the CB period, as the tripled amount of waste will take a toll on the cleaners.

Cleaner photographed resting under a tree

As such, a photo of a cleaner resting under a tree has come to evoke a multitude of emotions over their role in keeping estates and neighbourhoods clean during the CB period.

The photo was put up on May 20, by Facebook page Sayang Sembawang.

In its post, the page said that a resident had noticed the cleaner resting under the tree, which was how she had managed to take a photo of him.

The cleaner had supposedly been taking a five-minute break as he had "been working for long hours under the hot sun."

In addition, both the resident and her mother also praised the cleaner for his hard work, and noted that he had been "meticulous in cleaning every corner of the common area."

The caption also called for people not to be too quick to judge, given that the photo lends itself to the impression of a worker not doing his job.

Here is the post in full:

Netizens react with gratitude

Many netizens reacted to the post with gratitude and called for people to exercise empathy towards cleaners.

Several netizens also called for the cleaner to be offered food and drinks, as a way of showing appreciation.

One netizen, however, suggested that paying the cleaner more would be much better than simply showing them appreciation.

Top photo from Sayang Sembawang Facebook