China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) has revealed that the construction of labour quarters at Hulhumale' Phase 2 to improve and ease the extreme congestion of living conditions for expatriate workers in Male' is in full swing.
The project covers an area of 4,987.5 square meters, with a construction area of 2,443 square meters, including four two-story dormitory buildings, one mess hall with kitchen and two toilet buildings with bathroom functions. Upon completion, the labour quarters can accommodate up to 800 persons and meet their daily living needs.
The world's largest construction group, CSCEC officially started construction on April 27 with more than 200 workers working 24 hours a day. Housing Development Corporation Ltd (HDC) provided the land and part of the materials for the project, while China State Construction is responsible for the entire construction work and also provides all the labor, mechanical equipment and other relevant materials.
CSCEC on Tuesday said Dormitory Building 2 has reached completion, while Buildings 1, 3 and 4 have achieved 70% completion. Foundation beams, constructional columns, drainage pipe embedment and ground works of the two toilet buildings have all been completed, while the masonry work has reached 90% completion. Additionally, the foundation beams of the kitchen, mess hall and storeroom have also been completed, with 65% completion of the masonry work, said CSCEC.
A large number of expatriate workers in the country are vulnerable to COVID-19 due to overcrowded accommodations. The government has initiated work to construct better accommodations for expatriates in reclaimed Hulhumale' and Gulhifalhu. The President on Monday announced some 3000 expatriate workers would be shifted to the new living quarters during the first phase of the project.
