By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 17th October 2007
BANGLADESHI authorities are calling for action to halt the rising number of their citizens who die in Bahrain. The number of Bangladeshis who lose their lives in Bahrain every month has doubled in the last four years from two to four, revealed Bangladesh Embassy interim charge d’affaires Masudur Rahman.
He claimed tough weather conditions and workers’ negligence were mostly to blame for the increase and said awareness campaigns were needed to educate labourers about looking after themselves better.
Mr Rahman’s comments come following the death of another Bangladeshi Naim Chowdhury, who died from cancer.
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 17th October 2007
BANGLADESHI authorities are calling for action to halt the rising number of their citizens who die in Bahrain. The number of Bangladeshis who lose their lives in Bahrain every month has doubled in the last four years from two to four, revealed Bangladesh Embassy interim charge d’affaires Masudur Rahman.
He claimed tough weather conditions and workers’ negligence were mostly to blame for the increase and said awareness campaigns were needed to educate labourers about looking after themselves better.
Mr Rahman’s comments come following the death of another Bangladeshi Naim Chowdhury, who died from cancer.
The 40-year-old, from the Feni district in southern Bangladesh, had been brought to work as a gardener for a landscaping company.
He was pronounced dead at Salmaniya Medical Complex after being admitted to hospital only three days after he arrived in Bahrain.
“We have one of the highest rates of people dying in Bahrain and it is increasing,” said Mr Rahman.
“Previously, we used to have one or two (deaths) per month, but now we have three or four.
“At the moment we have seven or eight bodies waiting to be repatriated.
“We are concerned, definitely, and we are trying our best to help our people in distress.”
Mr Rahman said workers new to Bahrain tended to suffer the most as they struggled to deal with the change in climate and new working environment.
“Most of them are workplace accidents – some lose their fingers, a hand or are run over,” he said.
“Employees should be living a disciplined life, but they do not take proper sleep or have a proper diet.
“We are doing an awareness campaign and handing out leaflets telling people how to tackle heatstroke.
“Every time we visit a labour camp, we try to educate them by giving them tips (on how to avoid heatstroke).
“This is an issue that should be addressed, the embassy cannot work on it alone.
“We need a joint collaboration with other groups with some social activities to reinforce the message.”
geoff@gdn.com.bh
? Gulf Daily News