KUWAIT, Jul 1 (Kuwait Times): The years of talks about the possible establishment of large housing complexes specifically to accomodate single male expatriate workers are finally bearing fruit, with Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr. Mohammad Al-Afasi approving the construction of two such estates.

The estates would be the first of six planned for the country, which will be based in areas of Subbiya, Mutlaa, Jahra and Arifjan, and are projected to house around one million of the expatriate bachelors once they are all completed. Despite the Ministry of Social Affairs' reassurances that such housing complexes have been successfully introduced in other countries and that they would breach no human rights legislation, however, a number of local psychologists and sociologists have expressed concerns about
the psychological and social effects of such neighborhoods on their residents and others living in the areas affected.

One psychologist told Al-Rai that while the construction of these housing complexes would help to reduce the levels of crime and illegal activities that take place as a result of single male expatriates living in family neighborhoods, the isolation which these men might feel at being effectively cut off from the surrounding world could have negative effects on their psychological wellbeing. The unnamed expert likened the effects to those of being imprisoned in an isolation camp or jail.

While the ministry has emphasized that the housing complexes would be provided with all the necessary amenities and services for residents and would be a step towards improving expatriate bachelors' living conditions, a number of expatriates have also expressed concern, although others have welcomed the move. One expatriate worker said that the new complexes would be a way of escaping a number of problems affecting those in this group, including unjustly high rental costs and lack of transport. Another, ho
wever, voiced concern that the areas could become hotbeds of criminality due to the widely differing backgrounds of residents, suggesting that the more disreputable elements might victimize others there