Tier-1 Status reflects commitment to human rights, says LMRA CEO

TDT | Manama  

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Nouf Abdulrahman Jamsheer, the CEO of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, has hailed Bahrain’s Tier-1 status in the US Department of State’s 2023 Trafficking in Persons (TiP) Report as a testament to the leadership’s vision and the government’s unwavering commitment to upholding and protecting human rights principles.

The TiP report evaluates governments’ efforts worldwide in combating human trafficking and reflects a country’s adherence to the standards outlined in the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

Elaborating, Jamsheer underscored the effectiveness of Bahrain’s labour market policies and initiatives, which have contributed to maintaining the Tier-1 status for six consecutive years. She highlighted the government’s endeavours, such as the Labour Registration Programme launched in 2022, aimed at ensuring labour rights and combating irregular practices.

Additionally, the establishment of the Victims and Witnesses Protection Office plays a crucial role in safeguarding victims and witnesses involved in human trafficking cases. The CEO of LMRA also highlighted several other significant measures taken by the Bahraini government.

These include the creation of the National Referral Mechanism for Vulnerable Migrants, the establishment of the Expat Protection Centre, the implementation of the Wage Protection System, and the formation of the Regional Centre of Excellence in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Organization for Migration, aimed at enhancing capacity building in combating trafficking in persons.

Jamsheer further stressed that Bahrain is home to the region’s first dedicated anti-human trafficking prosecution unit, which specialises in handling human trafficking cases.

The CEO also praised the collaborative efforts between government agencies and the National Committee for Combatting Trafficking in Persons, which comprises representatives from various sectors of government and society. Jamsheer reaffirmed Bahrain’s commitment to collaborating with international partners and sharing its expertise with countries in the region and worldwide.