Bahrain - Landlords of 451 properties in Manama have been warned as the residential buildings are being used to house labourers.
It is part of measures taken by authorities against landlords and companies who are putting the lives of migrant workers at risk amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
The landlords have also been warned to adhere to the strict housing guidelines for labourers that ensure there is no overcrowding in buildings.
Capital Trustees Authority director general Shawkiya Humaidan explained that the law does not allow residential buildings to be used for other purposes including renting them out as labour accommodation.
“We have notified owners of 451 properties in Manama to rectify their situation and ensure they do not violate the law, which states that residential buildings are only to be rented out to families,” she said.
“Landlords should inform the authority and the municipalities in case the building is rented out for other purposes at all times.”
The GDN reported last week that a number of landlords and companies were identified and warned in connection with high concentration of workers living in Manama.
Capital Governor Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa said legal procedures have already been taken against health and safety violators.
“We will not tolerate health and safety violations because this is vital to contain the spread of the virus in densely populated areas in the capital,” said Shaikh Hisham.
“A number of landlords and company representatives have been contacted to correct their situation and reduce overcrowding in labour accommodations.”
Shaikh Hisham said the guidelines state that an area not less than 40 square feet should be allocated to each individual, while the ceiling of the room should not be less than 10 feet.
In addition, there should not be more than eight people sleeping in a room as part of the guidelines.
“All property and company owners should comply with the guidelines and ensure migrant workers are housed in safe conditions that meet proper guidelines,” added Shaikh Hisham.
He also warned that according to the Public Health Law violators can face three months of imprisonment or a fine not exceeding BD10,000.
Meanwhile, Parliament’s services committee chairwoman Dr Sawsan Kamal said areas such as Naim, Shaikh Hamad Avenue and Al Mutanabbi Avenue were hotspots for large concentration of migrant workers.
“We are now seeing during Covid-19 the actual implementation of the law that was already in place to deal with this problem of overcrowding and poor housing conditions,” said the MP.
Hundreds of workers have already been relocated to a dedicated shelter at Adhari Park that has a capacity to house 500 people.
Officials have maintained that the migrant workers, who are being relocated to dedicated government shelters donated by Bahrainis, were free of Covid-19, allowed to move freely, and will not be deported due to public fears.
Labour Market Regulatory Authority chief executive Ausamah Al Absi revealed this week that as of April 26 a total of 1,909 Covid-19 cases were registered among expatriate workers – of which 95.5 per cent were working under a legal employer in the country.
While only 1.7pc are flexi permit holders, 1.6pc are those on visit visas and the remaining 0.4pc are domestic workers and dependants.
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