Bahrain Proposes Legislation for Household Service Workers

November 2009POEA MARKET UPDATE NO. 05-09BAHRAIN PROPOSES LEGISLATION FOR HOUSEHOLD SERVICE WORKERSBahrain will again set the trend in the Middle East in terms of adoption of internationally accepted working conditions for migrants with the proposed inclusion of household service workers in its labor laws. Bahrain's Labor Minister Dr. Majeed Mohsin Al Alawi said that the Ministry of Labor is trying to create favorable conditions for expatriate workers, recognizing their contribution to the growth and enhancement of Bahrain's economy and society. Hence, Bahrain's Ministry of Labor is instituting reforms in order to facilitate the flow of people and investments into the country. Due to its open and liberal policy, Bahrain has become home to many nationalities, including Americans, Europeans and even Middle East nationals and their families.Recently, Bahrain has also adopted measures to combat trafficking such as the passage of an anti-trafficking law, the creation of a specialized unit in the Ministry of Interior to investigate cases of trafficking and closure of erring manpower agencies. TIEHSA