MANAMA: The Bahraini government is working on a national plan to relocate labor camps away from residential areas. Civic authorities have already started work on the plan by warning landlords not to rent flats to bachelors.
“We have issued a resolution banning bachelor laborers from staying in flats or buildings situated in residential areas. Families do not feel safe with their presence in neighborhoods,” said Jassim Redha, general-secretary of the Manama Municipal Council.
Redha said the council was flooded with complaints from families about bachelors in their areas. He added that the complainants were particularly women and children who felt scared when going out.
The council is also facing a problem with labor accommodation in residential-type apartments and villas in the city. Safety, hygiene and overcrowding are some of the issues that the council is faced with.
Redha said the authorities have informed contractors and landlords not to rent flats to single male workers. “Bahrain’s population is over one million now with 50 percent of expats living in the capital. This is ominous sign as it poses a threat to the identity of Manama,” he said.
A special committee has been formed at the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs to prepare a report on all labor camps in the country.
