Worksite accidents raise safety concerns: BHRWS

Manama : A human rights society in the Kingdom has raised concerns over the increasing number of worksites accidents here, especially in the construction sector.

Citing the latest statistics by the Labour and Social Development Ministry, the Rights and Labour Freedoms Unit at Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) described the issue as extremely “worrying”.

According to the latest Labour and Social Development Ministry report, a total of 294 injuries and 27 deaths were reported among labourers in all fields.

The report says a total of 352 worksite accidents were reported in 2017, with 154 accidents, including 20 deaths, were reported from the construction sector alone. 

“These alarming figures, especially the ones concerning deaths reported among construction workers, who are mostly of Asians nationalities and work in harsh and unsafe conditions, should be processed and improved immediately,” BHRWS said in a statement released on Friday.

Citing the report, which attributes the accidents to “failure by the establishments in providing occupational safety and health conditions at the worksites”, the authority also urged authorities here to prosecute such establishments who do not care for their workers. 

The report also lists non-compliance with the provisions of the Labour Law in the private sector and ministerial decisions that regulate and specify the requirements and specifications to protect workers from work hazards as the reasons for the mishaps. 

Sharing its concerns, the society confirmed that it will tighten its supervision on labour camps and worksites to ensure labourers rights and protect them mistreatments and work
hazards.

BHRWS also urged the ministry to enhance the role of its safety and labour inspection departments and comply with International Labour Organisation’s conventions and agreements signed to take necessary actions against companies that fail to ensure the safety of their workers.