Calls For Stricter Enforcement on Overcrowded Worker Housing

TDT - Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Many workers’ accommodations flagrantly violate the law by cramming multiple individuals into small rooms. Abdullah Al-Qubaisi, a member of the Northern Municipal Council, is calling for stricter enforcement of regulations governing workers’ living conditions. He asserts that no more than eight workers should occupy a single room, with each person entitled to at least four square metres of personal space.

Beyond overcrowding, Al-Qubaisi points out that these accommodations often lack proper ventilation and adequate lighting, creating conditions conducive to the spread of disease. He insists on a strict ban on placing cooking stoves or fuel in rooms and corridors, and he also stresses the prohibition of keeping animals or birds in these areas.

Despite clear regulations requiring proper organisation of these accommodations, enforcement has been inadequate. Al-Qubaisi references the situation in Hamad Town, where property owners rent these spaces to workers, causing disruptions for residents. Workers frequently park their vehicles—cars, buses, trailers, and motorcycles—in residential areas and public parking spaces, adding to the disruption.

Al-Qubaisi urges The Inspection Directorate, responsible for enforcing the regulations, to intensify its efforts. He calls for close monitoring of violations and a precise count of the number of workers. Residents are concerned not only about parking but also about other issues. In some cases, houses accommodate more than 40 workers, each with only four square metres of space, raising concerns about security and other undesirable behaviour.

Additionally, Al-Qubaisi draws attention to the large number of single men living in these accommodations. He advocates for improved supervision to ensure the safety of local residents. He suggests that relevant authorities should monitor workers’ housing arrangements, particularly those near residential areas. Furthermore, he proposes the establishment of a hotline for citizens to report complaints and calls for landlords renting to workers to provide written assurances of compliance with all conditions and provisions of the regulations.