When you think of workplace accidents, one’s mind immediately conjures up images of men falling from construction site scaffolding or injuring limbs on machines. But it could be much simpler and equally painful and go unreported. My laundryman takes in and delivers bundles of clothing in the neighbourhood and three weeks ago, he was knocked over by a car when cycling between houses. He escaped with a broken leg but it laid him up for 21 days and threw a spanner into his business. So if somebody you know is wearing slightly crumpled clothes, ask them if they are from Zinj!
Seriously though, when I asked if he had checked about his workplace insurance, he replied in all innocence that the accident had taken place on the road and not in the shop – never mind that this was part of his daily work schedule.
I’ve seen food delivery men being knocked over as they manoeuvre their bikes between cars. A couple of times, when we went to help them, they vanished into thin air because they were probably without the proper papers.
In 2016, the Labour Ministry’s statistics show that there was a 62.5 per cent increase in the number of fatal accidents alone in workplaces across Bahrain. The actual number of worksite accidents rose by 17pc. I suspect the figure is much higher, given that accidents like my laundryman’s and delivery man’s don’t get reported.
What can we do to bring down the number of workplace accidents? For one thing, we need to change our attitude – when I told a friend that my column this week would be about worksite accidents, their prevention and support for accident victims, I was given a decidedly quizzical look. “What? Is this chick-lit?” my friend seemed to say, “Are you setting yourself up as some sort of migrant workers’ rights advocate?”
See, as long as discussing workplace accidents is seen as an ‘easy compassion’ topic, we are not going to change things. If we hang around waiting for a big disaster to strike before scrabbling for the rule book, we shall be courting disaster. It’s little things that make the difference.
For instance, the simple act of sharing knowledge can empower us all and be a game-changer. Now that many undocumented workers are getting themselves registered with LMRA as Flexi Workers, they need to be taught how they can use the system to register for good quality health care access that can help them in a crisis. Without the safety net of a company, they are responsible for their own health and must seek help if they are hurt or sick and teaching them to register with a health centre is one way to plan for any emergency.
It cannot be emphasised enough that Bahrain is a country with its laws and intent pointing in the right direction. Companies found endangering workers’ safety are penalised and lack of worker safety is a criminal offence. There is a protection system that insures workers against actual workplace accidents – but this is very limited and accidents outside the work space are not covered. We have a world-class public health care system that is virtually free and has excellent trauma and emergency care. Moreover, the National Health Insurance Programme (Sehati), which will provide medical cover for both Bahrainis and expatriates when it is rolled out next year, will help accident victims.
Preventing the next worksite accident is not just about employers giving workers safety kits. It’s also about you and I speaking up and being involved.
meeraresponse@gmail.com