LMRA Chief highlights Bahrain’s effort to combat human trafficking

Manam : Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) CEO,  Chairperson of the  National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Persons Nouf Abdul Rahman Jamsheer, stressed the importance of concerted international efforts to combat the crime of trafficking in persons.
 
She called for the intensification of cooperation in carrying out investigations to bring all perpetrators to justice, calling to increase the awareness efforts to shed light on the various forms, methods and mechanisms of trafficking in Persons based on the nature of the crime of each region.
 
She made the statement marking the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, observed worldwide on July 30, which was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2013.
 
Jamsheer stated that the World Day against Trafficking in Persons is an important international opportunity for evaluating the procedures and measures taken by countries to address this crime, developing its capabilities, and keeping abreast of changing patterns and trends of the crime.
 
She added that the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to join the international community in marking this occasion stems from its keenness to highlight efforts and initiatives to combat this crime based on an integrated international system, with the aim of maintaining a stable and safe society.
 
She hope that this year will witness an increase in concentrated international efforts and increase preventive measures for the vulnerable segments, as well as focusing on preserving the rights and redress of victims of trafficking in persons.
 
“Bahrain has worked to strengthen its efforts in combating trafficking by establishing the institutional structure between concerned government agencies through an integrated system, solid legislative and procedural ground that contributes to strengthening prevention, protection, justice and fairness for all parties to work without discrimination, based on the principles of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, the principles of the National Action Charter, national legislation, and in line with the international agreements and conventions”, she said.
 
She stressed the Kingdom’s keenness to adopt policies aimed at combating trafficking in persons early, as it enacted in 2008 the first law that defines trafficking in persons and sets out the sanctions imposed against perpetrators.
 
She highlighted national efforts to develop procedures to maintain a work environment that preserves the rights and equality of all humans, irrespective of race and sex – as an integral part of societal culture, and international agreements and conventions related to human and labor rights.
 
She indicated that the Kingdom has launched a set of projects that contribute to preserving the rights of all work parties through contractual relations that maintain stability between the worker and the employer, including the Tripartite Domestic Contract, Wage Protection System, and Labour Registration Program.
 
She added that the kingdom is devoted to organizing the process of awareness and guidance, submission and follow up on complaints in order to assist in filing labour cases through the National Referral Mechanism for Victims of Trafficking in Persons.
 
The Chairman of the National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Persons noted that the kingdom’s policies and procedures in combating trafficking in persons have been recognized by the International Community, citing Bahrain’s success in maintaining its Tier 1 Status in the US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report, for the sixth year in a row (2018-2023) the first MENA country in the highest international annual rating.
 
She note that, based on the Kingdom of Bahrain international recognition, and as part of its efforts to support the efforts in combating the crime, the kingdom has established the Regional Centre of Excellence and Capacity Building for Combating Trafficking in Persons, the first of its kind in the region, and is deemed as the house of expertise for combating trafficking in persons.