Bahrain maintains tier-1 status in US Combating Trafficking report

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain has maintained its tier-1 status in the annual report of the US Department of State for combating people trafficking for the fourth year in a row.

Congratulating His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for the achievement, Labour Market Regulatory Authority Chief Executive Officer, Jamal Abdulaziz Al Alawi, said the annual report is considered the highest international ranking in this field. “This achievement is the result of the guidance, wise vision, and care of His Majesty the King in the promotion of equality and human rights for all citizens and residents without discrimination,” the LMRA Chief said.

Al Alawi further congratulated His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, noting that the integration of all public sector efforts had made Bahrain an inspiring global role model.

Al Alawi pointed out that the US report hails Bahrain’s for establishing a regional centre for training and capacity-building to combat people trafficking in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the GCC countries.

The US Department of State’s report also praises the opening of labour claims registration offices at the LMRA and providing administrative assistance to expatriate workers in filing labour claims and following them up through the electronic system by The Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs & Endowments.

The report also praises Bahrain’s Wage Protection System - inaugurated last May - which works on documenting the workers’ salaries payment process in institutions subject to the Labor Law.

The report points out that Bahrain has translated its work in combating people trafficking into a practical and institutional system with the participation of various ministries and private entities.