Dubai // One of the UAE's largest construction companies is offering to show other firms how it is trying to reduce the likelihood of swine flu outbreaks in its labour camps. ETA Ascon Star, which employs 72,000 workers living in two dozen camps across four emirates, is providing its workers with information about the disease and special training for those who clean areas such as living quarters, dining halls and kitchens where there is a higher risk of it spreading.
Next week, the company will host a gathering for other major employers, including Dulsco and Arabtec, who may be considering similar schemes. Mohitheen Batcha, the corporate welfare manager at ETA Ascon Star, predicted such plans would be in place at other camps by the end of the month. "We believe it is important to take action against swine flu and follow the actions taken by the Government in schools, airports and shopping malls," he said.
"Raising awareness is important to ensure symptoms are reported quickly and so that people don't panic. The second stage is to increase hygiene levels." The company has briefed all its workers on the importance of personal hygiene and washing their hands thoroughly. Signs are now posted in washrooms to remind them. This week, 50 workers will be trained in deep-cleaning methods for communal areas.
The cleaning staff will be trained on how the virus that causes swine flu is spread, how to identify the symptoms and how to protect themselves. Mr Batcha said labour camps were at risk of an outbreak because so many people live in a relatively small area and conditions are often not hygienic. "It is very important that all residents and workers at the camps keep healthy," he said. "We have highlighted cleaning staff as being a particularly high-risk group, and so have developed a training programme to demonstrate how to clean living quarters and the canteen thoroughly."
Some members of the cleaning staff are from outside agencies, and Mr Batcha said he hopes they will apply what they learn in other buildings. The company decided to launch the campaign after reading about measures being taken elsewhere. It has not received any instruction or advice from the Ministry of Labour or the Ministry of Health, but officials intend to notify both departments and Dubai Municipality of their new policies after the meeting with other corporations.
tbrooks@thenational.ae
