MANAMA: Two Bangladeshi workers died yesterday in a fire that broke out in their housing accommodation. Four others were treated for minor burns.
Civil Defense in Manama is investigating the cause, but preliminary investigation suggests the fire broke out because of kerosene stoves placed on wooden tables and poor electrical wiring.
The four injured men were treated and released for minor injuries at the Salmaniya Medical Complex.
According to official records, this is the third reported fire case at labor camps since the start of the summer. The incident brought back memories of Gudabiya fire in mid-2006 where 16 Indian workers perished in a fire in their apartment-type camp.
Workers — Indians, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis — are packed like sardines and forced to live in inhuman conditions in these labor camps situated in the capital.
Jassim Redha, general-secretary of the Manama Municipal Council said they have informed contractors and landlords not to rent flats to male workers.
“Bahrain’s population is over one million now with 50 percent of expatriates living in the capital. This is ominous sign as it poses a threat to the identity of Manama,” said Redha.
Safety, hygiene and overcrowding are other issues faced by municipal officials despite checks by ministry inspectors. Thousands of laborers, mostly involved in construction, are scattered in various districts as the labor camp zones have not been finalized.
The government is working on a national plan to relocate labor camps away from residential areas.
