Manama, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), said that Bahrain’s success in maintaining its Tier 1 status ranking for the seventh consecutive year in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, reflects its firm commitment, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to upholding human rights and protecting workers in a work environment that meets international standards.
Humaidan said that maintain Tier 1 status in this year’s TIP report demonstrates Bahrain’s standing as a nation of a rich cultural heritage with effective laws, and successful anti-trafficking practices. He said this achievement was the result of collaborative efforts with international organisations and diplomatic missions to raise awareness of the rights and duties of production part
ies.
He added that Bahrain has launched initiatives in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). These initiatives included training and capacity building through the Regional Centre of Excellence for Capacity Building in the Field of Combatting Trafficking in Persons, establishing specialised judicial entities, dedicating a prosecution for trafficking cases, establishing Victims and Witnesses Protection Office and a shelter for victims of human trafficking. The kingdom has also provided administrative assistance to victims in filing labour and civil lawsuits and developed executive mechanisms to protect workers’ rights, such as the wage protection system, labor registration, and the tripartite domestic employee contract.
The minister commended the efforts of all government entities that are operating within an integrated institutional framework, particularly the follow-up of the Minister of Interior General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa on the Interior Ministry’s efforts
in providing protection, security, and quick response to reports of human trafficking, in accordance with the kingdom’s laws.
Humaidan said that the coordination between the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, the Supreme Judicial Council, the Public Prosecution, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, the Labour Ministry, and the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons has bolstered national efforts to firmly counter human trafficking using advanced methods. This has earned Bahrain the respect of the international community and recognition as a global model for providing an advanced, stable work environment that protects the rights of all parties without discrimination.
Source: Bahrain News Agency