Qatar Firm Launches Housing Project For 50,000 Workers

A Qatari real estate company has launched a one-billion-dollar housing project, comprising 64 four-storeyed buildings, to provide accommodation to about 50,000 labourers. The first phase of the project would be ready in May. It includes a parking area with space for more than 4,000 trucks. The construction of the entire project and other structures in the second phase would be completed by mid-2010. Barwa Real Estate Company Chairman Ghanim bin Saad Al Saad said the project was part of Qatar's comprehensive development plans which gave high priority to the well-being of individuals. "Labourers' rights and improving their living and health standards is our main objective behind the project," Al Saad was quoted as saying by the Peninsula daily. The accommodation would be leased out to companies and would consist of 64 buildings made up of four floors, each with 130 rooms. The buildings, which would accommodate a total of 49,920 people would be split into four clusters of 16 blocks each.