THE first phase of relocating migrant workers as part of national efforts to combat the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) will be completed before Ramadan, revealed a senior minister, writes the GDN's Reem Al Daaysi.
Several companies are expected to organise their workforce while illegal workers will be relocated to donated buildings or according to plans chalked out by the respective governors, said Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the ministries and government authorities concerned to create a government database containing information about labour accommodations.
Details were revealed during a video-call meeting he held with Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel Humaidan, Public Security chief Major General Tariq Al Hassan, Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) chief executive Ausamah Al Absi and the four governors.
The governors highlighted the measures taken in their governorates following field visits to labour accommodations and camps while also identifying the capacity and sheltering priorities for each area.
Shaikh Rashid stressed the importance of promptly commencing with the relocation process after the necessary measures were completed according to a specific schedule and priorities.
He revealed that the first phase of the process will be completed before Ramadan, which is expected to begin on Friday, in accordance with the necessary directives to achieve social distancing.
Meanwhile, Capital Governor Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, accompanied by Interior Ministry officials, conducted a field visit to a labour camp set up near Adhari Park.
He emphasises the governorate’s keenness to collaborate with authorities concerned to reduce congestion in labour camps while also ensuring that the migrant workers are living in habitable conditions with their basic rights and comforts met during the temporary shelter.
He also revealed that a plan was launched to evacuate and relocate the migrant workers while a team was set up to ensure the process runs smoothly taking into account precautionary and preventative measures necessary.
