A new helpdesk is set to be established by Bahrain’s oldest migrant rights society to help workers from African countries that do not have a significant diplomatic presence in the kingdom.
During a Press conference yesterday, the Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS) announced the upcoming initiative, alongside its ‘Pillars of Partnership’ programme, while highlighting key challenges faced by expatriate workers during the Iranian attacks on Bahrain.
“We have been getting a lot of cases from African communities that do not always have an embassy or consulate in the kingdom,” MWPS chairperson Mona Almoayyed explained.
In response, the MWPS announced that it plans to liaise with community leaders and consulates or embassies of African countries in Saudi Arabia and the region. Countries including Cameroon, Uganda, Nigeria and Kenya are being prioritised due to the recent influx of migrant workers from these nations.
The African Communities Help Desk will provide culturally appropriate legal aid, repatriation support, immigration clearance, and access to basic needs for African migrant workers.
“This is not just a hotline, it is a bridge,” Ms Almoayyed added.
“We are formalising co-ordination with consulates and trusted community leaders to resolve cases that often fall through gaps in jurisdiction or due to language barriers.”
The MWPS also revealed that it received 42 new complaints in the first quarter of 2026, of which 36 have been resolved.
General Secretary Madhavan Kallath noted that the society had handled 39 cases in all of 2024 and 86 cases (77 resolved) in 2025.
As a result of the geopolitical tensions, migrant workers needed help with rent and living expenses, clearing immigration penalties, travel expenses for repatriation, and unpaid salaries.
“Unpaid wages remain the single largest concern, accounting for 80 per cent of all cases,” Mr Kallath added.
“Other recurring issues include repatriation support, legal assistance, employers refusing job changes or visa cancellation after termination, basic needs like food and rent, as well as medical assistance, outpass support and immigration fine clearance.
“While there were some employers who refused to pay salaries, most did their best, and all businesses have been affected by the situation.”
In 2025, MWPS also supported 1,070 low-wage workers with dry rations, which were distributed through targeted outreach programmes, and supported by the society’s donors.
This month, the MWPS board will also launch the ‘Pillars of Partnership’ initiative.
In addition to dry ration distribution, the initiative includes awareness campaigns on workers’ rights and available legal protections in Bahrain.
“Many workers are not aware of their rights and so we will be using our social media platforms to raise awareness about things like their right to hold onto their passport,” media committee head Raji Unnikrishnan added.
MWPS also released the first edition of the third volume of its quarterly newsletter, Migrant Voice, featuring updated case data and policy observations.
MWPS vice chairperson Evone Bhaskaran and treasurer Kavitasree Suvarna also attended the Press conference, alongside other members of the media.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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