LMRA provides expertise in developing Bahrainis’ capabilities as part of ‘well-established national approach’

TDT  | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The first training programme for trainers who deal with victims of trafficking in persons has concluded.

The event was organised by the Regional Centre of Excellence for Capacity Building in the Field of Combatting Trafficking in Persons, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the GCC.

Labour Market Regulatory Authority Chief Executive Officer Jamal Abdulaziz Al Alawi expressed LMRA’s pride in the role played by the centre to develop and build the capacities of the first responders to the victims of trafficking in persons or potential victims, as well as provide them with the necessary expertise on ways to deal with victims and help them.

He affirmed that LMRA’s strategy is to promote anti-trafficking in-person culture as to be a well-established social behaviour.

Al Alawi praised the great number of participants in the training programme, including representatives from eight governmental and non-governmental agencies, namely the Ministry of Information Affairs, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Primary Health Care Centres, the National Communication Centre, LMRA, the Bahrain Airport Company, the Bahrain Airport Services Company (BAS), and the Bahrain Corporate Social Responsibility Society.

He thanked all the participating parties that work in partnership with LMRA in the system of combating the crime of trafficking in persons, which, he said, is a well-established national approach in the Kingdom.

He pointed out that the centre is planning intensive training courses to rehabilitate those dealing with victims of trafficking in persons, not only at the local level but also at the level of countries in the Middle East.

It represents Bahrain’s contribution to supporting international efforts to combat the crime of trafficking in persons, given the fact that the centre is the first of its kind in the region.

Acting United Nations Resident Coordinator and Chief of Mission of IOM in Bahrain, Mohamed El Zarkani, expressed appreciation for the efforts being exerted by Bahrain to raise the level of public awareness in the field of combating trafficking in persons.

 El Zarkani underlined the unwavering interest of the UN and its specialised agencies in strengthening cooperation and coordination with the Kingdom, represented by the LMRA to provide all its expertise in developing and training Bahraini competencies.

He highlighted the ongoing strong partnership between the Bahrain government and the UN over the past years, yielding many achievements in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice in general, and addressing trafficking in persons, in particular.