A WEEKLY campaign has been launched in the Southern Governorate to raise awareness among expatriate workers in restaurants, cafeterias and cold stores about cleanliness and keeping pedestrian areas clear.
More than 80 shops in Al Hajiyat have been inspected as part of the ‘Moltazimoon’ (Arabic for ‘committed’) drive by the Southern Municipal Council.
According to council’s director-general Isa Alboainain, the initiative was part of efforts to educate residents and ensure that people in the governorate receive the best possible services – and that violations are reduced.
Mr Alboainain
The campaign comes in response to some workers reportedly dumping waste in front of shops or putting up chairs and other items hindering pedestrian movement.
“We want workers to know about the rules, regulations and correct procedures,” Mr Alboainain told the GDN.
“The goal of Moltazimoon is to make them understand that if they do not follow the rules and regulations, they will be committing violations.
“Our priority is not to forcefully uncover violations, but rather educate people, by talking to them, or through videos or other forms of media.
“The council has already conducted similar campaigns with school children, residents and senior citizens.
“Now, we want to educate the Asian expat workers in commercial establishments such as restaurants, cafeterias, cold stores, vegetable shops and more, because they are also part of our community.
“We want them to stop throwing waste and putting up obstacles in front of the store that impede pedestrians.”
There have been multiple cases in Riffa and surrounding areas of stores, especially restaurants and cafeterias, encroaching on public spaces with chairs and tables, even though it is illegal.
Mr Alboainain explained that getting the message regarding the importance of a clear storefront through traditional means is challenging.
He explained that a majority of these workers do not have social media accounts, or even if they do they do not follow government pages, nor do they tend to read newspaper or other forms of local media.
So, instead, he and other council members and inspectors decided to visit relevant shops in the governorate and speak to the workers directly in a friendly and engaging way.
Additionally, they put up flyers that reminded workers of their commitment to ensuring that waste had to go into designated bins rather than on the street. They text is in four languages – English, Arabic, Urdu and Hindi.
Moltazimoon started with more than 80 shops in Al Hajiyat, and will expand to include other parts of the directorate, including 140 in Bukuwara and 300 in East Riffa in the coming weeks.
Mr Alboainain attributed the encroachments and dumping of waste to ignorance rather than ill-intent.
“Most of them are from countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and many do not speak or understand Arabic very well.
“We took some municipal workers with us who spoke some of their languages, especially Urdu and Hindi, and talked to them and gave them a flyer.
“The message of the flyer is simple – keep your store clean, both inside and out.
“Most of them do not do it out of desire to break the law, they genuinely have no idea, and a kind conversation is the best way to convey that message to them.”
Mr Alboainain affirmed his dedication to not only continue to spread the message, but also to monitor shops in the governorate to ensure they are maintaining proper standards of cleanliness.
“As the Southern Municipal Council, we are responsible for ensuring the cleanliness of the community,” he said.
“We believe that kindness and approaching the topic in a friendly manner will pay dividends rather than berating and threatening the workers.
“I am sure our efforts will pay off, and we will continue to educate them in a way that encourages them to keep their shops clean, for their own benefit as well as others.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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