.jpg?20260306')
MUNICIPAL officials have been ordered not to remove charity boxes set up in neighbourhoods to collect clothes.
The Labour and Social Development Ministry has officially requested the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry to stop removing the boxes until a clear mechanism for doing so is decided.
Social development officials in a letter clearly stated that time was needed to reach an agreement between the involved parties, in which a deadline would be given for violations to be corrected.
“We licensed charity organisations and societies to set up clothes collection boxes, but after the outbreak of Covid-19 the permits were suspended,” said ministry officials.
“Limited permission was given for some boxes but that was never respected.
“We first agreed with municipal officials that the boxes had to be removed immediately but now it needs reconsideration to reach the best satisfactory outcome agreed by all.”
Exported clothes
The GDN reported in May that clothes filling charity boxes were being sold to companies for export to countries in Asia, Africa and South America … because it is claimed the poor in Bahrain don’t want them.
The money local charities get from the bulk sales – estimated at around 300 tonnes a month – is turned into store vouchers so struggling Bahraini families can buy clothing ‘of their choice’.
The GDN has learnt that charitable societies have signed contracts with local companies to collect used clothes in bulk in return for an amount set by international market prices.
One society told the GDN that used clothes sold for 125 fils per kg and the deal nets them between BD120 and BD200 a month.
Mr Abdullatif
Southern Municipality director general Assem Abdullatif said more than 30 collection boxes were removed on the day the ministry officials ordered a halt to the drive.
“Those boxes are just set up anywhere, even in prohibited and sensitive areas, and we had to remove them,” he said.
“We received orders to remove from the concerned councils and did so, but we were told to stop because guidelines on the set-up were unclear and the process needed a proper mechanism.
“The rules are clear. But, we have agreed to sit and reach a deal.”
Ms Al Gallaf
Southern Municipal Council services and public utilities committee chairwoman Eman Al Gallaf said there were several incidents in which children just broke into the boxes while playing hide and seek or running away from punishment.
“Those boxes are dangerous and could lead to a catastrophe should a child fall asleep when playing hide and seek or when running away from punishment at home.”
Mr Al Basheer
Southern Municipal Council financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Talal Al Basheer said in some areas there were more charity boxes than cars or boats outside homes.
“What makes a charity in Muharraq to set up boxes in Zallaq?
“The situation is out of hand. Besides, those boxes have contributed to several traffic accidents and are even used for criminal activities as hideouts.”
Mr Al Tamimi
Southern Municipal Council chairman Bader Al Tamimi said people seeing the boxes full would just dump clothes around them.
“The street cleaners are in a dilemma, do they remove the bags as garbage or leave them stacked as piles?
“The companies responsible to empty them only come once weekly and the smell coming out from the bags is unbearable after two days.
“Hopefully, the agreed outcome would end troubles and restore order.”
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
&uuid=(email))