Bahrain (see also Nepal)

Labor agreements with India, Nepal, Sri Lanka

The labor agreement between Bahrain and India went through a final review on 25 April. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Labor Mobility and Manpower Development was polished after a meeting between Bahraini Labor Minister Majid Al-Alawi and Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi. Both countries will sign the final version of the agreement in June.

The proposed MoU seeks to bring all categories of migrant workers under the protection of labor laws, including domestic workers, who were previously excluded from the scope of the laws. The rights and responsibilities of workers and employees will be defined to help curb abuses of migrant workers and to address other issues. It will also ensure that employment contracts are in conformity with work permits and authenticated by the government.

In other news, Bahrain signed the labor agreement with Nepal, which allows Nepali laborers to work in the Kingdom and covers their wages and benefits. The government is optimistic that more Nepali workers will arrive in Bahrain since better wages are being offered there compared to other Gulf States. Bahrain also signed an MOU with Sri Lanka on 22 April, in a move to support migrant workers’ welfare and to protect them from being exploited by manpower agencies. 

Debates over the abolition of the sponsorship system

Tension loomed between Bahrain’s labor officials and its business sector amid the labor minister’s controversial decision to push for the abolition of the sponsorship system. Labor Minister Majeed Al Alawi reaffirmed on 29 April that the sponsorship system will be abolished by the end of the year to curb human trafficking and to liberalize labor markets. The business sector said the move will not help Bahrainis in the competition against low-paid migrant workers. Rights activists said the system is a modern form of bondage. An economic analyst praised the decision, saying it is a “bold move in the right direction” and is good for the growth of the skilled Bahraini labor force. The sponsorship system is the legal basis for employment, through which a migrant worker can only work for the sponsor and can only change jobs or leave the country with his permission.

Another point of contention between the business sector and labor officials is a new provision in Bahrain’s Labor Law permitting workers to switch jobs or companies without the employers’ consent. Some businessmen said that they were not consulted about the policy, which will be enforced in July. They said the new rule will cause chaos, as recruitment is costly and takes as long as six months.  They also argued that it will slow down the progress of projects, especially in the construction industry.

Visa changes, renewal before 1 July

The Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) issued a reminder for all migrant workers to regularize or renew their visas before 1 July. The LMRA is now in charge of issuing visas for expatriate or migrant workers and their families.  Those who fail to do renew their visas before the said date will have to leave Bahrain.

Despite government action in regularizing the migrant workforce, around 60,000 unauthorized migrant workers are still in the country. The estimated count excludes families of these workers who remain in the country.

Meanwhile, around 765 Asian workers rallied in front of the Ministry of Education’s General Administration building on 27 April to protest their employer’s refusal to renew their expired residence permits. The Ministry of Education has asked the Ministry of Interior to handle the problem, since these cases are under its jurisdiction. The ministry also issued a statement which said that the Ministry of Interior caused much confusion when it extended the permits for only one month, which also expired, rendering the workers violators of the residency law.

Battle for minimum wages continues

Asian governments are still struggling to impose minimum wages for their migrant workers in Bahrain and in other Gulf countries. Since last year, they have been bidding for minimum wages for their construction workers, domestic workers and other “semi-skilled” workers. But most wage conditions remain unchanged, several embassies say.  An official said agencies and employers have agreed to change some requirements such as insurance, but not wages.  The Ministry of Labor said conditions being proposed by these governments will be respected but cannot be made binding locally, as many companies in Bahrain cannot afford it. The minimum wage issue has brewed tension in Bahrain amid rising costs of living. A series of strikes staged by construction workers occurred earlier this year in the country and embassies say the number of runaway domestic workers also increased.

In related news, over 2,200 Indian construction workers in Bahrain ended their strike and went back to work on 13 April after company officials promised to increase their wages. The workers, who used to receive a monthly salary ranging from $159 to $238, returned to work after the company promised an increase ranging from $26 to $79.

Persisting problems of foreign domestic workers  

A report by the Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society revealed foreign domestic workers issues in the country ranging from trafficking and abuse cases to labor laws. The rights group said many have suffered from abuse and maltreatment by their employers and sponsors. Some have also become victims of human trafficking, based on reports of minors from India, the Philippines and Indonesia working for different households in Bahrain.  The amended labor law also does not include foreign domestic workers, who continue to face low wages amid rising costs of living.  Labor officials said a separate law for them is currently being drafted. Over the last two years, Asian governments have also been pushing for minimum wages and insurance coverage for domestic workers.

Formation of migrant worker unions

The General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions recently held a meeting to discuss the formation of unions for migrant workers. About 200 unionists attended the meeting, but no migrant workers attended the event. Prior to the meeting, foreign unionist Moussa El Jeries said that migrant workers must be included in the federation board, as their plight remains an important issue. He noted, however, that many migrant workers are hesitant to join unions for fear of being expelled from the country, despite local laws that guarantee them protection. The federation has agreed with other foreign unions to find ways of encouraging migrant workers to join unions.

Sources: Titus Filio, “Minimum wage issue a far cry,” Bahrain Tribune, 8 April 2008; Titus Filio, “BHRWS turns spotlight on rights of housemaids,” Bahrain Tribune, 10 April 2008; PTI, “2,200 Indian workers end strike in Bahrain,” The Economic Times, 13 April 2008; Titus Filio, “Migrant workers must have voice,” Bahrain Tribune, 17 April 2008; Geoffrey Bew, “Bosses protest job-switch law,” Gulf Daily News, 20 April 2008; Soman Baby, “July 1 deadline for visa change,” Gulf Daily News, 20 April 2008; Soman Baby, “Deal to check worker abuse,” Gulf Daily News, 21 April 2008; Bonny Mascarenhas, “No more exploitation,” Bahrain Tribune, 27 April 2008; IANS, “India-Bahrain labour pact soon,” The Peninsula, 27 April 2008; Habib Toumi, “Minister insists Bahrain will abolish sponsorship system,” Gulf News, 30 April 2008; Habib Toumi, “Bahrain’s sponsorship axe ‘move in right direction’,” Gulf News, 30 April 2008; “Labour agreement signed with Nepal,” Bahrain Tribune, 30 April 2008; “Labourers upset over refusal to renew visa,” Bahrain Tribune, 30 April 2008