BIRMINGHAM – A group of Muslim volunteers who have been cleaning Birmingham’s rubbish-strewn streets have been branded “scabs” by left-wing newspaper the Morning Star.

A story published earlier this week said: “A dispute over in Birmingham continues after a “scab army” of volunteers has been cleaning up piles of rubbish, The Telegraph reported on Friday, August 11.

“The community group, known as Bearded Broz, are encouraging people to join their scab operation as they undermine the strike by Birmingham City Council refuse workers over job losses.”

After a strike by workers at Birmingham City Council left bin bags uncollected, a Muslim group called “Bearded Broz” took on the task of cleaning up the streets.

Morning Star on lively form #ScabArmy pic.twitter.com/EZI3MSlbpe

— Duncan Robinson (@duncanrobinson) August 10, 2017

The claim that the group broke the strike was rejected.

“If Birmingham City Council is watching or listening, then we’re doing your job that you’re supposed to be doing,” a spokesman of the Muslim group said.

“We’re not here to have a fight with you, we’re here to work with you, and if you want to help us, get in touch with us, we’ll provide the manpower if you provide the vehicles.

“We’re not here to cause antagonism, we’re here to work together with all the authorities because at the end of the day we as residents of this area have to live with the stench.”

He added: “We’re all volunteers, all these guys here, because we want to help our community, and as Muslims we feel it’s really important that we do that. We want the world to see what we’re doing as well.”

The Muslim group was defended on social media, especially twitter.

The Bearded Broz aren’t ‘scabs’ @SweeneySteve they’re fed up with stinking rubbish & vermin all over their streets, so are sorting it out ??

— Claire Dutton (@Duttons4Buttons) August 10, 2017