Bahrain's labour inspectors are now being equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) tools to boost their efficiency and further communicate effectively with expatriate workers about their rights and responsibilities in their native languages.
This is part of new measures taken by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) to combat trafficking in persons.
The government agency’s chief executive, Nibras Talib, yesterday said the ‘exemplary national model’ to tackle trafficking has helped protect workers’ rights.
“Bahrain has built a comprehensive national system founded on the principles of prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership, and has institutionalised these efforts by embedding them in national policies,” said Mr Talib.
He was speaking at the second edition of the Combating Trafficking in Persons Forum yesterday.
It was held at the Gulf Hotel, under the theme ‘The Role of the Private Sector in Combating Trafficking in Persons’, and was attended by diplomats, expat community leaders and representatives from different ministries.
Mr Talib, who is also the National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Persons chairman, praised LMRA’s co-ordination with government entities, notably Interior Ministry, Foreign Ministry, the Public Prosecution and civil society organisations.
“Together, they have developed an exemplary national model that is in line with our efforts to enhance tools and keep pace with global changes,” he added.
He further said LMRA has launched smart and multilingual reporting and complaint channels for mobile applications, website and a dedicated hotline.
“This has made access to protection services easier and free from language or technical barriers,” he noted.
“We have also enhanced our inspection teams’ capabilities with artificial intelligence tools that improve efficiency and speed of response.”
The official did not further explain the tools, but sources told the GDN that iPads used by labour inspectors during their visits have been installed with AI tools, which help them explain rights, duties or violations to expat workers in different languages.
Mr Talib, in his speech, highlighted that all expatriate workers were now being provided with an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and a free mobile SIM card. This enables them to receive their wages electronically through licensed financial and banking institutions. The move enhances transparency, oversight and documentation of employers’ compliance with wage payment, while also reducing labour disputes.
The official outlined another initiative – ‘Working Together’ – launched last year in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to raise awareness about the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees, and promote protection and support services.
“To date, the initiative has organised 32 awareness events, benefiting more than 2,500 participants from target groups,” said Mr Talib.
“Additionally, more than 10 information materials have been developed in multiple languages.”
LMRA has also conducted orientation programmes for employers and domestic workers upon their arrival in Bahrain.
“We have launched a Consular Support Services Initiative for non-resident diplomatic missions in co-operation with the Foreign Ministry and Interior Ministry,” he noted.
With regard to training at the LMRA’s Regional Centre for Training in Combating Trafficking in Persons, he said 87 trainers from six public and private sector entities have been certified since the centre’s programmes were launched in 2021.
The official yesterday announced the launch of the ‘Best Practices in Combating Trafficking in Persons in the Private Sector’ Award, which aims to recognise leading models in protecting the rights of both employers and employees, and in promoting fair and safe working environments.
Meanwhile, LMRA’s Partnership and Outreach director Fahad Al Binali, in his remarks, highlighted that anti-human trafficking challenges continue to evolve, thereby requiring constant training and partnership.
“Bahrain has a robust infrastructure to combat trafficking in persons and now with innovations such as digitalisation and use of AI, we are further strengthening the system,” said Mr Al Binali.
Mr Al Binali later moderated a session entitled: The Impact of Awareness and Training in Strengthening National Partnerships to Combat Trafficking in Persons.
Speakers included Bangladesh Ambassador Mohammed Sarower, Kenyan Embassy in Kuwait’s Liasion officer based in Bahrain Pastor George Muturi, Indian Community Relief Fund adviser Dr Babu Ramachandran and other officials.
Bahrain maintained its ranking in the 2024 annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report released by the US State Department for the seventh consecutive year.
The TIP 2024 report placed Bahrain in the Tier 1 status – the only GCC country recognised as being fully compliant with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s minimum standards for elimination of human trafficking.
The 24th edition of the annual report featured narratives on 188 countries and territories, and covered the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
During the reporting period, the Interior Ministry investigated 46 cases (involving 66 alleged traffickers) – 17 for sex trafficking, 27 for labour trafficking and two cases involving both.
The LMRA referred 32 potential trafficking cases to the Public Prosecution’s Trafficking in Persons Unit – 31 for labour trafficking and one for sex trafficking.
The report categorises countries into four sections as mandated by the TVPA, which is the American law against human trafficking.
Tier 1 nations fully meet TVPA standards, while Tier 2 and Tier 2 watchlist nations do not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, though making significant efforts to do so.
Countries not complying with the minimum standards are placed in Tier 3 and subjected to certain US sanctions.
Bahrain government provided assistance, including shelter at the Expat Protection Centre in Sehla, to 44 potential trafficking victims, offered job placements in the kingdom (two victims of labour trafficking were issued new work permits) and repatriated 16 victims during the reporting period.
The government further allocated BD197,191 for victims’ protection and assistance.
Earlier this week, the Interior Ministry set up a specialised office under the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science to support victims of human trafficking. The office, aligned with international standards, provides a safe environment for victims to give testimony and includes a dedicated space for children.
It aims to enhance co-operation with judicial authorities in all stages – from investigation to prosecution.
Latest statistics show that authorities dealt with 22 human trafficking cases from January 2024 until January this year, resulting in the arrest of 50 individuals, and further assistance was provided to 41 victims.
Public can report anti- trafficking cases via hotline 555, operations room 999, or email 555@interior.gov.bh, with full confidentiality guaranteed.
The hotline is available in Arabic, English, Hindi and Urdu.
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