Safety of expatriates living in trouble hotspots in Bahrain will top the agenda as they meet councillors next month.

They will discuss ongoing street violence in the Northern Governorate during an open meeting, which aims to give foreigners a bigger say in how their communities are run, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The Northern Municipal Council also plans to form sub-committees made up of people of all nationalities, which would be overseen by the councillor of each constituency.

The governorate includes some of Bahrain's most notorious trouble areas - such as Budaiya Highway's villages - and street violence is likely to be a key area of concern for expatriates.

Council vice-chairman Sayed Ahmed Al Alawi told the GDN a draft agenda has been drawn up and initial invitations have been sent out.

He has been tasked to chair the meeting, which will be held on March 5, but the date could be changed depending on feedback from participants.

"Security, safety and well-being of expatriates will top the agenda especially with the ongoing clashes between rioters and police," said Al Alawi.

"We have to spread the message that expatriates are part of the community and that no one is targeting them.

Services

"Expatriates need to feel comfortable first before we can discuss any other issue and the aim of the meeting is to open a channel between us and the expatriate community, who have unfortunately been left out for the past 12 years despite them having several clubs and residences in the governorate."

Al Alawi said other issues listed for discussion include improving services and drawing up new plans to provide municipal services to the expatriate community.

"Expatriates are living in the governorate, especially on the Budaiya Highway, Saar and Janabiya and new areas like Saraya, which covers a large section. So they are affected, like any national, by lack of services or old facilities, municipal or infrastructure, around them," he added.

"The invitees list mainly includes representatives from the Dilmun Club, the Rugby Club and the Country Club, but if others want to come, they are free to contact us." - TradeArabia News Service