Amman cleaners replace orange uniforms seen as too similar to garb of IS captives

AMMAN, Jordan – Turquoise is the new orange — for Amman's 5,000 sanitation workers.

The Jordanian capital decided to swap the workers' orange uniforms for turquoise ones because the old garb was too reminiscent of the jumpsuits worn by Islamic State captives in grisly beheading videos.

Among those killed by the extremists was a Jordanian fighter pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, who was immolated by his captors while trapped in a cage. The video surfaced last month, prompting widespread anger in Jordan and official vows of retaliation.

Municipal spokesman Mazen Farjeen said Monday that the city was responding to demands from the public and the pilot's family.

He says the city wanted to protect the image of the workers by swapping colors.

The new uniforms will be phased in later this month.