More than 20 frontline staff from different government entities have been trained on identifying potential human trafficking victims and dealing with their cases through a series of workshops.
The specialised training was organised by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority’s (LMRA) Regional Centre of Excellence and Capacity Building for Combating Trafficking in Persons, in co-operation with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The ‘Train the Trainers’ programme was held at the Labour Ministry in Zayed Town, and conducted by experts in the field of combating trafficking in persons.
“More than 20 trainees, including inspection and frontline workers in the government sector, participated in the training programme,” said the LMRA yesterday.
“The programme will improve their skills to identify and deal with victims or potential trafficking victims.”
The LMRA works through the centre to upgrade skills and capabilities in various sectors to provide a solid pool of qualified certified trainers.
Sources told the GDN that more than 200 people have been trained in over 20 workshops conducted by the centre since last year.
The IOM which has a dedicated office in the LMRA-run Expat Protection Centre in Sehla earlier rolled out its four-year strategy (2021-2024) that included reforming migration policies, addressing human trafficking issues and further helping vulnerable groups in the Gulf countries.
The plan includes rolling out a special orientation programme for newly-arrived migrant workers in Bahrain to brief them on their rights.
The Swiss agency established its presence in the Gulf in 1991 when it opened its office in Kuwait and currently has missions in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
Bahrain has maintained its top position on the US State Department’s latest Trafficking in Persons (TIP) 2023 report for a sixth consecutive year.
The kingdom was placed in the Tier One status and was the only GCC and Arab nation recognised as being fully compliant with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards for elimination of human trafficking.
During the reporting period (April 1, 2022 to March 31 last year), the Interior Ministry investigated 42 cases (involving 59 alleged traffickers) – eight for sex trafficking and 34 for forced labour – compared with 44 cases (26 sex trafficking and 18 forced labour) probed in the 2022 TIP report.
The LMRA reported 40 potential trafficking cases that were referred to the Public Prosecution in 2022 including one which resulted in the prosecution of an alleged trafficker.
In comparison, the watchdog referred nine potential forced labour cases to law enforcement agencies in 2021.
In addition, a total of 67 potential victims of human trafficking were provided shelter at the Expat Protection Centre during the first quarter of 2023 – an increase of 272 per cent from Q1 2022.
Public and distressed workers can report violations or call for assistance on the 995 hotline.
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