Bahrain’s keenness to upgrade labour market systems stressed

TDT | Manama

Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) chief executive and National Committee to Combat Trafficking in person chairman Ausamah Abdulla Al Absi received yesterday US Embassy charge d’affaires Margaret Nardi. The LMRA chief highlighted the efforts made by the Kingdom in the field of human rights and combatting the crime of trafficking in persons. He stressed the Kingdom’s efforts in this regard.

He also emphasised Bahrain’s keenness to further develop the labour market and upgrade the existing systems, in order to achieve goals and preserve the rights of all. Al Absi referred to the proactive efforts made by the Kingdom to address the negative effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, explaining that Bahrain has launched a month-long grace period to rectify the conditions of free-visa expatriate workers, from the beginning of April until the end of 2020.

He also pointed out other measures taken, such as suspending the monthly work fees and the fees for issuing and renewing work permits for expatriate workers. The LMRA chief affirmed that these measures contribute to handling any layoffs, preserved the workers’ rights, and protected them from falling into the trap of extortion, exploitation or even trafficking.

For her part, the US embassy chargé d’affaires praised the pioneering role played by Bahrain in the field of human rights and preserving the rights of everyone, regardless of race, gender or religion. She praised the tireless efforts made by the Kingdom during the COVID-19 crisis, describing that as a pioneering model. She also lauded Bahrain’s periodic review o