Our leadership issued law No. 15/2010 to preserve the safety and stability of our society and its citizens and ensure the privacy and tranquillity of families in residential neighbourhoods.
According to the law, it is illegal for single workers to live in “family areas”, which refer to districts where Qatari families live.
The law stipulates measures against violations and grants municipal employees judicial power to arrest them.
Violators are fined and evacuated and there is double penalty for repeat of violation. The law specifies one year for settling issues. So far, it has been clear and obvious.
The issue date of the law implies that it has been in place for three years but problems still exist and families suffer.
A large number of foreign workers are arriving, as companies compete aggressively to sign long-term deals, which require massive hiring.
These bachelor workers are threatening the privacy and comfort of families, spreading like a deadly epidemic that eats through our social fabric.
Some Qatari families have abandoned some inherent habits; they no longer open their doors wide or gather around they used to. This hurts us. We are accustomed to being generous towards our visitors, comfort the grieved and help the poor and passers-by, but now the purity of our lives, sleep and rest is disturbed.
Some workers are circumventing the law while some brokers and sublease contractors are violating it for vested interests.
Some workers arrive with their families in Qatar, and then send them home, some are married but come without their wives and some are singles. They are living in residential neighbourhoods unlawfully.
There is no doubt that the existence of bachelors among families is a violation that is unacceptable by all customary, legal and constitutional standards.
The questions frequently asked by citizens are: Why do bachelors live among families? Who allows them to do so? When will they be evicted? What justifies the procrastination in implementing the law?
We are fed up with their unpleasant presence, and do not need to list what has resulted from housing them next to families.
It would hurt the feelings of the readers if they knew some of the cases and things committed by these workers.
Silence is not acceptable anymore, knowing that most of these workers come from societies and environments different from our customs and beliefs.
The law must be implemented with all seriousness and strictness without any favour or courtesy to anyone otherwise there will be more violations of the sanctity of families — the issue that threatens family security and safety.
Logic requires dealing with this crucial, overwhelming, popular rejection of the existence of bachelors among families by building a city for them in the Industrial Zone.
The city project was announced about a year ago. It must be equipped with all health, consumer and leisure services to avoid labour congregation and harassment of families on vacation.
We also suggest regulatory and legislative regulations, including building bachelor quarters on the main road outside residential areas, at least 700 meters away from girls’ schools and to oblige contracting companies to provide workers with suitable residence according to the law.
We expect authorities to respond to our demand to bring back tranquillity and comfort to families.
We also expect a response from decisionmakers. May Allah save our country and maintain it as an oasis of safety and security over the ages.
