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LEADING politicians have demanded a crackdown on massage parlours offering clients extra services of a seedy nature much to their disgust.
Parliament second vice-chairman Ali Al Zayed claims he has received hundreds of calls from concerned citizens, GCC nationals and expatriates who have been outraged by the salacious and sordid goings on.
“Things are getting way out of control and it warrants an immediate clampdown,” he added.
“No-one is against clean business and things being done in a professional manner, but in appears many of these massage parlour workers are offering sexual favours on top of the legitimate services on offer.
“Massage parlours are highly popular, that is undeniable, and people enjoy visiting them to have their stiffened muscles relaxed and bodies relieved from tension.
“But what starts as a soothing massage turns into something much more suggestive and improper and these acts need to end.
“It appears some of these workers are trying to make up for the losses incurred during Covid-19 and are willing to do anything for the right price.
“This has really angered many people who simply want a good massage and nothing else and find themselves being groped and offered services they had no desire or intention of requesting.”
Mr Al Zayed says the problem has magnified because more visitors are arriving from Gulf states using smart cards instead of passports for easy entrance, and they are falling prey to perverted ‘Southeast Asian sex workers’.
He claims that the country had pre-pandemic problems of a similar nature and they were dealt with by the authorities … but since Eid Al Fitr and the relaxation of strict Covid-19 regulations, ‘improper conduct’ has once again reared its ugly head.
“We had to close down several outlets years ago, some cleaned up their act, but many others have returned to the scene dirtier than ever,” said Mr Al Zayed.
The GDN reported in 2017 that two businesses located in Bukawara, a massage parlour and a salon, faced prosecution for alleged vice activities.
Two parlours were also closed down in 2019 in Hoora and Gudaibiya for similar violations.
A GDN journalist who went undercover for a massage in the area and was offered an inappropriate additional service, politely declined, made his excuses and left last weekend.
“The situation is getting out of hand with homosexuality and immorality on the rise,” claimed Southern Municipal Council services and public utilities committee chairman Abdulla Abdullatif.
“Complaints are mounting and the Interior Ministry needs to step in alongside other concerned ministries and government bodies,” he added.
“Clean operators bring in more business than those offering immoral services as they give the public trust on what health benefits can be delivered.
“Unfortunately, some male workers use it as a cover for prostitution and that needs to be stamped out immediately.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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