Bahrain: Shelters run by foreign embassies and non-governmental organisations will soon be shut down.
Distressed expatriates housed in those shelters will be relocated to a new government-run centre under the supervision of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).
The 100-bed Expat Protection Centre in Sehla is expected to open soon and will house male and female migrant workers, including victims of human trafficking.
Its opening means shelters run by the Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS) and the embassies of Indonesia and Philippines will be forced to close, with LMRA chief executive Ausamah Al Absi earlier telling MPs that it was difficult for his inspectors to enter facilities run by the diplomatic missions because they did not have the jurisdiction.
Mr Al Absi met MWPS chairwoman Marietta Dias yesterday to discuss the project.
“This is a fantastic project which is a huge step in the right direction to help victims of abuse and other grievances,” Ms Dias told the GDN.
“The centre will operate according to international standards and have a team of trained experts to help the victims.”
“During the meeting, we were asked to come on board, but we still haven’t decided.”
The MWPS has been running its shelter for distressed women since 2005.
It dealt with 148 cases involving people of different nationalities last year, and from January this year until June the shelter provided assistance to 78 women.
It is understood the LMRA has still not approached the embassies of Indonesia and Philippines, which operate shelters at their premises.
Majority of their nationals seeking assistance are housemaids, whose complaints included illegal recruitment, unpaid salaries, maltreatment, physical abuse and rape.
“It is good to have everybody under one roof where assistance will be provided for abused workers and trafficking victims,” added Ms Dias.
“This is the first time there is a shelter for men set up which we welcome.
“During the meeting, we were told by the LMRA official that there will be services provided in six different languages through a national hotline.”
The GDN earlier reported that the centre will have two clinics, with psychologists
and counsellors, to help expatriates.
Mr Al Absi previously said they set a national referral system linked to different ministries and NGOs that will enable serious cases to be dealt by the concerned body.
In June last year, he accused the Philippines Embassy of sheltering runaway housemaids and other workers.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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