Transfer of labour workers to temporary shelters to begin soon

TDT | Manama

The shifting and sheltering of expatriate labour workers to selected government or donated buildings must begin immediately, with the aim of completing the first phase of the project before the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

This was asserted yesterday by Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa during an online meeting with Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Humaidan. The remote conference was also attended by the Chief of Public Security, the Executive Chief of Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), and Governors. The Interior Minister stressed the importance to start the shifting and sheltering of workers after finalising procedures and requirements through phases.

The first one should end before Ramadan, he said, with the consideration of social-distancing rules. The Interior Minister discussed the methods to implement the directives of the coordination committee, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. The panel assigned the Interior Ministry, Labour Ministry and LMRA to ensure that precautionary measures are being followed for expatriate labourers, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The Interior Minister said that a group of companies will be handling their workers, while illegal labourers will be distributed among donated buildings or those suggested by the Governorates.

At the meeting, importance of cooperation between Ministries and concerned authorities was highlighted in order to create a record of labour accommodation areas and determine their capacities and sheltering priorities. The meeting was also attended by Assistant Chief of Public Security for Operations and Training and the Assistant Coordinators of Governorates.