COMMUNITY efforts to support low-income expatriate workers affected by the Covid-19 crisis have received support from a senior government official, reports the GDN’s Raji Unnikrishnan.

The Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS), which is the largest expatriate club in Bahrain, is mobilising 1,000 boxes of dry ration and other basic amenities to be distributed to labourers who have not been paid as a result of the pandemic.

In response to the campaign, which is mostly taking place in the Capital Governorate, Capital Governor Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa has joined to liaise with businesses to support the efforts to distribute essentials to needy expats in the community.

Shaikh Hisham told the GDN yesterday that his office has been in contact with BKS representatives, adding that he acknowledges the concerns raised.

“From our side, we are liaising with all businesses, supermarkets and shops to support the efforts of the BKS to supply food and other amenities in this situation,” he said.

“We are aware that there are a number of people, mainly expats, who have been impacted by Covid-19, and I must say this is the same for all – Bahrainis and non-Bahrainis.

“All we can do at the moment is to support them in a practical way, which is to ensure they have food and other necessities.

“The well-being of expats is equally a concern for the government and even for those infected, we are providing treatment and other facilities.

“Bahrain is known for its generosity towards its residents and it will be no different in this situation as well.”

BKS, which has up to 6,000 members, suspended all its regular activities since last month and has also initiated a community campaign through audio and video messages on the importance of social distancing, personal hygiene and home isolation.

“We are mobilising 1,000 kits consisting of rice, wheat, oil and other essentials to distribute among the needy community members,” said BKS president P V Radhakrishna Pillai.

“We have also shared our concerns about the non-payment of salaries or a cut in salaries by many employers and Shaikh Hisham’s office was kind enough to check on the well-being of our community.

“We request that employees are paid on time and if there are delays at least BD50 per employee must be paid as food allowance or they should provide food and other amenities.”

Bahrain is home to 498,000 foreign workers, of which almost half are estimated to be from India. This excludes domestic workers.