Manama: The Islamic Menbar, the third largest parliamentary bloc, is pushing for the promulgation of a law that would lead to the relocation of expatriate bachelors to purposefully-demarcated areas, away from Bahraini families.

"We have submitted a motion that will eventually result in the construction of special zones in the industrial areas to put an end to the problems suffered by Bahraini families in their neighbourhoods because of the presence of expatriate bachelors whose social norms and behavioural attitudes differ vastly from those of the local population," Ali Ahmad, the chairman of the bloc, said.

Al Menbar also attributed its highly controversial move to "a desire to alleviate traffic pressure caused by the daily transport of the labourers to and from their work sites and the need to rescue the bachelors from the dilapidated and unsafe houses where up to 15 people are crammed in one room."

The call by Al Menbar echoes similar appeals made by municipal councillors who explained their moves by "deep concerns about the regular offences to Bahraini social sensitivities and worries about the safety, hygiene and well-being of the labourers."

But, Al Menbar, the first parliamentary bloc to call for the segregation between locals and expatriate bachelors, insisted that the relocation call would preserve the dignity of the labourers and would be in line with the international human rights and labour conventions.

However, such arguments are flatly rejected by rights activists on the grounds that they are "xenophobic moves targeting the most vulnerable communities of people in Bahrain."

"Practising and promoting discrimination through legislation would serve only to further tensions between various communities living in Bahrain, which historically have lived in an integrated and peaceful manner," activist Nabeel Rajab had said.

Around 520,000 expatriates live in Bahrain, making up slightly less than half of the total population.

The Indian community with around 270,000 members, mostly unskilled labourers in the construction field, is the largest, followed by the Pakistani and Bangladeshi.

Dramatic and often fatal fires that gut accommodation facilities have invariably sparked furore and prompted pledges to improve living conditions.

However, in the absence of a strict application of the law, the risks have not disappeared.