Lootah warns against overcrowding in rooms

Dubai: Stop overcrowding in rooms at labour accommodations or face heavy penalties, said Hussain Lootah, director-general of Dubai Municipality.

Sending a strong message to owners of labour accommodations, the director of civic body said the municipality keeps a close watch on health and safety standards at accommodations, but the responsibility to adhere to those standards also lies with labourers as well as the companies.

Lootah was speaking on the sidelines of the clean up the marine campaign launched by Dubai Municipality at the Dubai Creek on Wednesday.

When questioned on the negative reports that appeared in the British media on poor standards of labour accommodations in Dubai, Lootah said: "The municipality carries out regular checks on these accommodations but the problem faced by us is not only from the end users alone, but also from the companies who accommodate their labour force in overcrowding conditions. We faced similar problems before the rule of 'one villa one family' was issued."

He added: "Construction of new labour accommodations is completed. And once the occupants move in, the municipality will issue heavy fines to companies who allow overcrowding in accommodations. We will also appoint staff for maintenance services."

Meanwhile, labourers in Dubai stated that living conditions in their accommodations have improved considerably compared to what it used to be a decade ago. They said that companies who own these labour accommodations are responsible for the overflowing of their septic tanks as they do not want to pay to the tanker operators.

A labourer said: "The tanker operators who drain the septic tanks at our accommodations have increased their charges per trips as they have to wait for more than 24 hours to empty it at the drainage plant in Al Aweer."

"Another labourer said: "The accommodations are overcrowded and so we have overflowing septic tanks."

Do you know of anyone who has lived in an overcrowded accommodation? Were the relevant authorities contacted? Was the issue fixed?

I wonder why muncipality and/or labour office do not stipulate a rule that company should have minimum n number of rooms/area sqfts for labour accomodation based on number of employees in the organisation, when the authority is approached for labour visa or renewal of company licence? It is very important everybody have a decent shelter. All should be traeted with respect and dignity.
Abdul Rahim
Umm Al Quwain,UAE
Posted: April 24, 2009, 17:52

These are the people who help us in making the city beautiful and they should be given first priority, not only in accomodation but also the transport which that is used for them,
Sami Al Deen
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 24, 2009, 15:07

I feel surprise checks have to be made and especially on Friday morning as you can find all the crowd gathered at same place.I feel strict home to home to Villa to villa have to inspected for finding of over crowding especially in Satwa areas where lot of villas are still misused by the bachelors work force.
Prashant Malatkar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 24, 2009, 15:07

More important is the health facilities and services these labourers are provided, they simply cant afford treatment of many illnesses and their company`s managements dont care about them when they get sick !!
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 24, 2009, 13:28

Do not make scheduled visit you may not find violators. make surprise visit specially after duty hours.
Kebede Teka
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 24, 2009, 10:54