Workers hit by chronic water shortage

INADEQUATE water supply has made life miserable for over 8,000 workers living in the labour accommodation outside Mesaieed Industrial City, Gulf Times has learnt

The massive housing complex comprises double-storey buildings, which are rented out to companies that have been executing projects in the neighbouring industrial area. These contracting companies have been using the facility to house their workers as they have no option.

Contracting companies said it was mandatory for them to house their workers only in this complex, managed by Qatar Real Estate Investment Company (QREIC).

A QREIC spokesman said they were aware of the problem. “However, the problem is not at our end. The responsibility to deal the problem lies with Kahramaa. We are working with them to resolve the problem,” he said.

Previously, workers could be housed in portacabins set up by companies on open land taken on lease.

While the contractors welcomed the idea of housing workers in a proper residential complex, they were critical of poor facilities, particularly of the scarcity of water.

The water problem has been further aggravated with the large increase in the number of workers in the recent past, they said.

According to contractors, QREIC has hiked the rent twice this year – once in March and a 30% hike just recently.

Shamsu, a worker who lives in the camp, said: “The population here has more than doubled since we moved in some eight months ago. A few new buildings have been added, but the water supply remains the same. Sometimes there is no water for washing dishes.”

Hundreds of workers, who returned in the evening after an arduous day at work, had the same story to tell. They were all running after what little water they could get hold of to freshen up. The lack of water has also resulted in poor hygiene and sanitation.

Even company managers complained about dealing with workers who were “irritated” because they could not get enough water for morning chores.

“Water is usually not available in sufficient quantities in the morning and evening and especially on Fridays,” said Rehman, a mason.

A port operation manager for QPMC said: “Over 12,000 people are living here. The supply of water has improved a bit now, after numerous complaints, but it is not sufficient. I think it can be solved only by laying a new pipeline to the complex.”

Currently, potable water is supplied to the complex by tankers, which have a capacity to carry up to 6,300 gallons per trip. Quite a few tankers are engaged in ferrying water from Al Wakrah, but the supply is far less than the demand, sources said.

A spokesperson for SOS, a company that houses hundreds of its employees in this camp, also concurred when asked about others’ views. “Thousands of people living here have to contend with the short supply of water. The infrastructure for water supply needs upgrading.”

Qatar Steel Company has moved its workers to a place close to Qafco dormitory due to the “chronic shortage of water”, an official of the company told Gulf Times.