TWO manpower agencies in Bahrain have been shut down for “severe human rights violations”.
Amaken Manpower Services and Al Mashriq Manpower have had their licences revoked by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).
The firms were found to have engaged in practices categorised as “borderline human trafficking”, said LMRA chief executive Ausamah Al Absi.
“We have cancelled the licences of the two manpower agencies after severe human rights violations were found that included borderline human trafficking, dealing unfairly with workers and dishonesty with employers,” he told the GDN yesterday.
“Both agencies shut down recruited domestic workers (from abroad).”
One of the firms was found to have housed foreign recruits in substandard conditions, according to sources.
They said the other supplied untrained domestic workers and refused to refund clients who complained.
A public notice now urges individuals and companies that dealt with the two agencies to contact the LMRA to register any financial claims.
Claims
Mr Al Absi said the authority had stepped up its inspections of recruitment agencies and had already referred others to the Public Prosecution.
“It is a constant process for us to ensure the law is adhered to at all times,” he added.
“We have shut down some agencies, while others are being investigated.
“In addition to this a couple of them have been referred to the Public Prosecution, which will decide what action to take – be it administrative or criminal charges.”
Mr Al Absi, who is also chairman of Bahrain’s National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons, was consulting with victims of the agencies to determine whether they preferred to stay in Bahrain to work or return home.
He also recommended that anyone seeking to hire from overseas should use only approved manpower agencies.
“The LMRA continues to urge the public to deal with licensed manpower agencies,” he said.
“We have posted a list with all their details and contact numbers on our website.
“If people still deal with agencies not on this list, they are not protected (in the event of future action).”
The LMRA website lists 111 licensed manpower agencies, which are officially authorised to recruit domestic workers, expats and Bahrainis.
Regulations require all recruitment agencies to pay a security deposit of BD10,000 to complete licensing and other procedures.
This deposit is then used by the LMRA in the event of a firm breaking the law or defaulting on its financial obligations.
“In our notice regarding the two recruitment agencies whose licences were suspended, we have urged the public to contact the LMRA’s Planning and Licensing Department to settle claims, which shall be done from the mandatory deposits made by the two firms,” explained Mr Al Absi.
“But if someone has dealt with an unlicensed recruitment agency, it becomes difficult for them to get their money back in case of a dispute.”
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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