Authorities probe workers living on shacks in Baha

BAHA: Government bodies in Baha embarked on an investigation into the plight of a number of expatriate workers who live in shacks at stalled projects.
Social media sites circulated photos of them while living under the prevailing weather conditions.
The general director of the Labor Ministry branch in Baha, Ibrahim Al-Zalfan, gave directions to the department of inspection in the region, to pay a fact-finding visit to the location.
The inspectors discovered that the workers had already filed a complaint against the company they work with.
The problem was addressed on the spot by contacting the company and ordering it to find suitable lodging for the workers, and to pay their salaries. The company responded to the orders and provided lodgings and meals for them, and promised to pay their delayed salaries as soon as possible.
The media coordinator of the Labor Ministry's branch, Saleh Abdulkhaliq Al-Qadri, said that there are 11 workers at the site and the company addressed the situation right after the labor inspectors visited the site.
He added that if any of the workers were harmed he should refer the situation to the labor office in the region, contact the office by phone or even file a complaint on any of the social media sites of the Ministry of Labor.
The 11 workers were found to live in very harsh conditions in wooden rooms they built themselves on the construction site under the weather elements. It was also found that their residency cards had not been renewed.