HRH the Crown Prince calls for complete adherence to COVID-19 precautionary measures for expatriate workers

TDT | Manama

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister issued a directive yesterday for the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, and the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) to ensure that the precautionary guidelines in place for expatriate workers are being implemented across the Kingdom. HRH the Crown Prince gave the order as he chaired a meeting of the Government’s Executive Committee, which was held remotely.

HRH the Crown Prince highlighted the importance of further strengthening precautionary measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and safeguard the health of citizens and residents. On this note, HRH the Crown Prince reiterated the importance of reducing the number of workers within their accommodations and ensuring social distancing measures are followed in buses while transporting employees to and from their work place. HRH the Crown Prince further stressed the importance of assigning a specific work location for each worker, and ensuring that workers wear face masks at all times.

HRH the Crown Prince urged all enterprises to protect their expatriate workers in their accommodations by implementing necessary precautionary measures, in accordance to Decision Number (40) for the year of 2014, issued by the Minister of Labour and Social Development. Additionally, HRH the Crown Prince extended his gratitude to all who have provided monetary and material support to national efforts aimed at mitigating the spread of the virus, particularly those who have contributed by providing additional accommodation to be used as dormitories, which is helping to reduce the density of expatriate workers at their residences. In this regard, HRH the Crown Prince paid special thanks to Samhaan Holding, Shaikh Salman bin Ali Al Khalifa, Sameer Abdulla Nass, Mohamed Bin Eshaq Group, Warehousing Solutions, Altajdeed Cultural and Social Society, Al Namal Contracting and Trading, Sayed Ali Habib Ali Hassan, Jamal Showaiter Sweets, and Shobra Readymade Garments Company.

HRH the Crown Prince further directed the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism to increase inspections across enterprises, shopping malls, and manufacturing facilities to ensure precautionary health guidelines and social distancing measures are being implemented, emphasising that legal action will be taken against all violators.