MANAMA: Bahrain’s Ministry of Labor has formed a special committee with health inspectors and vocational safety officers on board to monitor construction sites in the country following the deaths of three workers — two Indians and a Bangladeshi — this week.
“Work has been temporarily stopped at this construction site. A special committee has been formed to inspect all worksites and check for any violations regarding the safety of workers,” said Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, undersecretary of the Ministry of Labor.
Ahmed Al-Haiki, director of inspections and labor unions at the Ministry of Labor, told Arab News, “Worker-safety is our top priority and we regularly warn employers of any violations. They are given one week to correct their situation.”
Al-Haiki added that although the construction sector was booming in Bahrain, there was little awareness of safety. “I think we need a collective effort from government bodies, civil society organizations and the media to educate workers. Sometimes workers don’t wear safety shoes or hard hats while working, something that is mandatory by law.”
Anil Kumar and Badala Raju, both Indians, and Bangladeshi national Kamal Sharif died on Monday after a scaffolding collapsed.
One of the Indians died on the spot, while the other sustained head injuries and died while being treated at the Salmaniya Medical Complex.
