Needed: Regulation for car washers in towns
Isa Town : Car washers wandering the streets is a common sight in several towns and villages in the Kingdom, following the introduction of flexible work permits by Labour Ministry or the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), enabling expats to be their own sponsors and work anywhere of their choice.
But some citizens say the flexi permits have also contributed to the phenomenal increase of streetcar washers in several parts of Bahrain. A large number of car washers are often seen scrambling for work in some areas and open yards such as Isa Town, East Riffa and Arad.
Tribune spoke to Southern Area Municipal Council Chairman Ahmed Al Ansari, who demanded more official efforts to regulate the work of this category of workers. Al Ansari says some of the social and legal problems are caused by streetcar washers in the southern area especially in Riffa and Isa Town.
“We receive countless numbers of complaints at the council against these individuals who gather in huge numbers in some residential areas. Their residency conditions may have been regularized but they remain unwanted, especially by families who complained about them of thefts and harassments. Citizens and residents are worried about their children, women and housemaids, as some of these car washers harass them,” Al Ansari told.
He also said that the residents are demanding that the washers be moved out of residential areas. Al Ansari suggested that designated car washing areas are established to accommodate the washers, instead of being randomly scattered across residential areas.
The council chairman criticised the lack of official supervision on foreign workers in Bahrain. He blamed the authorities for not controlling “the masses of street workers”.
Al Ansari added, “There are 14,000 inspectors on Dubai alone. In Bahrain, the numbers of inspectors in all fields, including the municipalities, labour, health and hospitality sectors, are below 1,000. That’s why violations are repeating without effective solutions. Interior Ministry, Labour Ministry and LMRA should cooperate to end these disturbing phenomena.”
Repeated brawls
Commenting on footage recently posted online showing car washers fighting at one of their gathering points in Isa Town, Southern Area Municipal Council Member Mohammed Al Khal told Tribune that “such fights became a regular scene in Isa Town”. Al Khal commented, “What has been posted online recently is only the tip of the iceberg. Tens of such occurrences are frequently witnessed here.”
In an interview over the telephone with Tribune, the representative of the area at the council shed light on another side of the issue.
Al Khal elaborated further saying that “despite the many opposing voices to streetcar washers, there is an equal number of people who need their services, especially among the youth”.
“The youth prefer car washing and polishing services provided by streetcar washers over the officially registered establishments, as they’re cheaper by at least 70 percent. If there’s no demand for these services, the number of streetcar washers will sure decrease. However, this matter is one of the most controversial discussions in social gatherings in the area (majlises). Many sympathise with citizens who own officially registered auto-service garages and washers, as they’re compelled to pay high fees. While these washers are pulling their customers away by offering them the same services in return for trifle amounts. More control and regulation is needed,” Al Khal added.
Mafia
The Tribune visited the area where the brawl took place a few days back. Located beside Isa Town bus terminal, there was hardly any spots to park. Four to six men are standing on the entrance of the yard and literally jumped in front of oncoming vehicles, offering them their services. Few questions left and right, Tribune was led to the man who appeared in the video being jumped by a number of car washers.
Mohammed Shan is a Pakistani national who says he had been washing cars for a living in his four-year residency in Bahrain. He explained that the street business is controlled by organised groups of certain nationalities.
“We are the only three Pakistanis here in between at least 70 Bangladeshis. That’s why I was attacked. They don’t want me to work here,” Mohammed said.
Recalling the incident, he narrated, “I was machine polishing a car when one of the attackers deliberately pushed me from the back. I was worried I might damage the painting of the vehicle. Using the polishing machine requires high vigilance. This lead to a verbal dispute, which soon ended when a number of Bahraini customers interfered.”
“Soon after that, the same man comes back with seven other men of the same nationality. They approached me with the intention of attacking me. I tried fighting them all, but I was outnumbered. I exchanged a couple of blows and punches with them until more of them came, carrying sticks and planks. They were 15 of them against me,” Mohammd. The man said a number of Bahraini men who were present on the spot interfered and separated him from the attackers.
“I suffered multiple injuries in the head, face and other parts of my body. I lodged a complaint at the Isa Town police station and on the same night, a couple of patrol police were sent to the site who arrested seven of them, while the rest escaped.
Police are now looking for them,” Mohammed told The Tribune.
“I work for a company that’s specialised in car washing and waxing. I receive a fixed salary from my boss, who I worked for during the past four years. Me and my two colleagues are not like most of the men here. They’re mostly Free Visa (irregular) workers,” Mohammed added.
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