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BETTER and safer migration of domestic workers came under the spotlight at a key conference in Bahrain yesterday.
A call also went out at the forum for people to hire domestic workers from only licensed manpower agencies.
The two-day ‘Safe Migration of Domestic Workers’ conference aims to strengthen international co-operation and discuss partnerships for the rights of domestic workers to prevent exploitation and trafficking.
It was organised by the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) in collaboration with German-based Friedrich Ebert Foundation and was held under the patronage of Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel Humaidan at Downtown Rotana, Manama.
The minister reaffirmed the need to rely on proper hiring firms to prevent exploitation.
“Bahrain has provided many necessary protection systems for domestic workers – especially with regard to the need for a contract, annual leave, end-of-service gratuity in addition to exemption from litigation fees at all stages and the right to file labour complaints before the ministry for an amicable settlement,” he said.
“We have worked to strengthen Bahrain’s relationship with labour-exporting countries, and also urge citizens to deal with officially approved recruitment agencies.
“Bahrain has adopted the mandatory triple model contract for domestic workers since 2017 and we have launched the voluntary insurance system for domestic workers.”
Mr Humaidan stressed the importance of dealing with licensed employment agencies in order to avoid exploitation.
Earlier this year, fines totaling BD71,000 were slapped on rogue manpower agencies providing illegal cleaning services on an hourly basis.
In addition, in July more than 30 people, including a Bahraini woman, were arrested as a human trafficking ring was exposed.
Protection
The total number of domestic workers reached 64,829 (including 45,415 females) in Q1 2021 compared with 83,206 in the same quarter last year – a 22 per cent decrease.
Despite the pandemic last year, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority issued a total of 6,902 new visas for the above segment of workers.
Mr Humaidan reaffirmed that although the world faced challenges and economic repercussions due to Covid-19, Bahrain has overcome these circumstances and successfully protected its workforce by implementing several measures that contributed to the stability of the labour market.
“The conference was organised to focus attention on the safety of domestic workers starting from their departure from their countries,” said GFBTU secretary general Abdulqader Al Shehabi.
“It aims to highlight the most effective way to safeguard workers’ rights and reiterate the call for legislation to ensure that citizens’ wages are no less than BD700.
“As well as legislation that guarantees the transfer of wages to domestic workers in addition to healthcare as well as a safe working environment.
“Raising the wages of Bahraini citizens is a guarantee for domestic workers to get their wages as their sponsor is also their employer.”
Yesterday’s session discussed GCC legislation in place to protect domestic workers during and after the pandemic.
Today’s concluding session will discuss protecting domestic workers from exploitation and human trafficking, and labour stability.
reem@gdn.com.bh
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