New rules governing labour accommodations are on the way, revealed Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan.
Under a newly-proposed article to be added to the 2012 Private Sector Employment Law, employers who provide accommodation for their staff would be obliged to declare their whereabouts and allow inspections to ensure standards are followed.
Under the amendments, which are being reviewed by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, accommodation standards would be drawn up in co-ordination with the Bahrain Chamber and the two trade unions.
The minister said that specific locations would soon be determined for labour camps outside urban areas through a ministerial decision currently under review in co-ordination with other relevant authorities.
“Currently, space per worker should be no less than four metres within one room,” he added. “Cramming workers in one place is prohibited, and they should have proper ventilation, lighting and enough cupboards for clothes.
“Also, the accommodation should have adequate fire-fighting equipment and extinguishers, a first-aid box, besides acceptable toilets, kitchens, water sources and a proper sewage system, amongst others.
“Employers will have to carry out regular maintenance and fix damages that may jeopardise workers’ lives.”
Mr Humaidan, who is also the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) board chairman, was giving a written response to a question by Parliament’s foreign affairs, defence and national security committee vice-chairwoman Dr Mariam Al Dhaen on labour accommodations.
In response to a question by Parliament’s second deputy speaker Ahmed Qarata on runaway expat workers, the minister said that out of 562,593 work permits, 1,337 have left work in violation from December 2022 to February 2024.
In another response to a question by MP Abdulla Al Dhaen on jobless Bahrainis, Mr Humaidan said 16,978 were registered with the ministry until the end of 2023.
Meanwhile, Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla Fakhro revealed that there are 83,877 active commercial registrations (CRs) in Bahrain with 35 per cent owned by expats fully or partially.
In a written response to a question by MP Hamad Al Doy on active and non-active CRs, the minister said that 2,911 general CRs have been inactive since December 2022.
“Out of the active CRs, 54,725 (65pc) are owned fully by Bahrainis, 13,372 (16pc) are owned completely by expats, and 15,730 (19pc) are joint ventures between Bahrainis and expats,” said Mr Fakhro.
Cabinet Affairs Minister Hamad Al Malki, who is politically responsible for Tamkeen (Labour Fund), said in another response to a question by MP Bassema Muabrak on spending on training, that BD10.1 million has been spent since December 2022 and until January 2024, on training programmes for 9,484 Bahrainis.
“A total of 1,041 Bahrainis have been promoted following job progress programmes offered by Tamkeen.”
Meanwhile, Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak said tenders will finally be floated for a new-look Jidhafs Central Market after a decade of delays.
He said that work to redesign the former Jidhafs Municipality building and surrounding public and private properties to merge and create a new site has already been completed.
The project will include an urban facade and direct outlets with a total area estimated at 4,880sqm.
It will have five sections, with the fish area featuring 15 stalls for selling and five for cleaning, while the meat and poultry section will have 14 butcheries and two poultry stalls.
The fruit and vegetables section will feature 17 stalls each for both fruit and vegetable sellers, and the local products department will have 15 stalls.
The services section will include a traditional coffee shop along with security and management offices.
Mr Al Mubarak, who was responding to a question by Parliament’s legislative and legal affairs committee vice-chairman and area MP Mahmood Fardan on new municipal projects in the Capital Governorate constituency six, added that the whole market area re-planning process involved intensive co-ordination with relevant authorities following an original proposal by the Capital Trustees Board.
The central market has existed for around three decades, but traders claim it has become a magnet for illegal traders, prompting complaints of traffic congestion and a number of raids.
All four ministers are set to appear in Parliament’s session on Tuesday.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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