Longest-serving Stib employee retires after 50 years of service

The Stib's longest-serving employee will be retiring after dedicating 50 years of service to the Brussels public transport operator.

Tram driver Ali Garna has been working for Stib since 1972 and is 74 years old, Bruzz reports.

“Have a nice retirement, Ali, and thanks for everything,” the Brussels transport company said in a statement acknowledging his dedication.

Garna is originally from Tunisia but has been a long time resident of the Schaerbeek neighbourhood.

While he has long been past the age of retirement, Garna enjoyed his job too much to stop doing it. He continued to apply for extensions of his employment contract.

“I love my job and the people,” Garna said in a Stib video.

“My secret is that I look at the positive. For example, I see people who have no work or are living on the streets. Then I think: 'Thank God I have work and am happy.' I am proud of my work and driving the tram gives me joy.”

Garna also recently received the ‘brevet of laureate of labour’ during Schaerbeek's municipal council meeting, a title that serves as formal recognition of exceptional workers.

Garna, who is still energetic and in great shape at 74, said he could have kept on working even longer but decided it was time to get some rest.

“I have done more than enough,” he said, smiling in the video.