The visit by Northern Governorate officials to the 257 worker accommodation owners is a good start and necessary action (GDN, May 11).
Labour camps are time and again checked and warned of their default in respecting safety standards. The Ministerial Order No (40) of 2014 clearly stipulates all the requirements. The rule states that any property used for labour accommodation must provide at least 40 sqft of space for each tenant. But the statistics show there are more than five people living in a room. They cannot maintain the minimum distance of three metres prescribed. Landlords exploit low salaried workers and rent poorly maintained houses with no proper basic facilities and safety standards.
Consequences of such ill provided accommodation are limited to labourers. Now the violation of the health requirements and specifications of workers accommodation is causing a larger problem. But the coronavirus pandemic has not only put the lives of migrant workers in danger but also the rest of the citizens and residents. All the ill-provided 1,604 labour camps are to be revamped and their conditions improved. The healthier environment in living condition will motivate workers and increase their efficiency. This will raise their productivity levels and boost the country’s economy.
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