A RISING suicide rate among expatriates and non-payment of wages were among the issues highlighted at a key discussion.
Tougher new legislation that protect the rights of low-income workers and employers was also proposed during a meeting held between Shura Council’s seven-member human rights committee and senior members of the Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS).
During yesterday’s meeting, MWPS chairwoman Marietta Dias along with members Noora Feleyfel and Hana Buhujji were given an opportunity to highlight the various issues faced by migrants living in Bahrain.
“We had a fruitful meeting that included discussions about protection of rights of expatriates and citizens,” Shura Council human rights committee chairman Ahmed Al Haddad told the GDN following the meeting.
“One of the issues raised was related to non-payment of wages because workers, including Bahrainis, are being affected because of this problem.
“It’s important for us, as Shura Council members, to know how we can help by proposing tough legislation to deal with this problem or confront these companies that violate the law.
“We would also like to see embassies playing a more proactive role with the Shura Council so that we can work together.”
Shura Council member Mona Almoayyed, who is also part of the committee and the founding chairwoman of MWPS, was instrumental in arranging the meeting and told the GDN she would always work to address issues affecting migrant workers in the country.
“MWPS members gave a presentation that explained their activities and the issues facing migrant workers,” she explained.
“Among the most important, I felt, were the rampant non-payment of wages and the high rate of suicides and deaths among expats.
“The committee has asked MWPS to submit a letter that will be passed through our lawyers and tabled at the chamber, with a proposal to introduce new laws to help reduce the suffering of migrant workers.”
Ms Dias, meanwhile, said it was encouraging to see legislators interested in problems facing low-income migrants workers – adding that her team highlighted a number of recommendations including the need for tougher laws and minimum wage for certain professions.
“We are glad that at least somebody in authority was ready to hear us out, which means they accept and acknowledge there are issues,” she said.
“Nowadays we deal mainly with non-payment of wages, we don’t have a count of cases as there are single cases as well as group cases.
“There are major companies involved and we need higher authorities to understand and address this.
“The other issues we highlighted were poor living and hygiene conditions and also cases like fire and suicides.”
MWPS, licensed under the Labour and Social Development Ministry, is a non-governmental organisation that is supported by more than 50 volunteers from various nationalities focusing on low-income foreign workers and their needs.
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