Migrant Workers Protection Society, Bahrain

Whilst it is true that the Kingdom of Bahrain is a land of opportunity and has been the harbinger of wealth and good fortune to many, it is a sad reality that not all have been so lucky. Untold tragic stories have abounded, but not for long. A small group of volunteers, migrants themselves, of various nationalities, initially started to work independently to provide protection and assistance to low income migrant workers who have been exploited and/or abused.

Legally established in February 2005 at the invitation of the Ministry of Social Development, the Society that worked under the umbrella of The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights as ‘Migrant Workers Group’, has now grown into a group of about fifty volunteers who contribute their personal time and effort to improve working and living conditions for the workers and to offer them a ‘voice’ when they suffer injustices. The Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS) now runs a shelter to house female domestic workers who have left their place of employment due to some form of abuse.

The main problems that are commonly faced are:
- Non-payment and irregular payment of salaries

- Underpayment of promised salaries
- Workers not being given contracts / contract violations
- False complaints by the employer
- Physical and sexual abuse and harassment
- Current labor law not adequately covering domestic workers
- Withholding of CPRs and passports by employers

- Language barrier (hindering all communication)

Unfortunately, this has not affected the number of people desiring to come to work here due to a lack of awareness from the labor-sending countries and of course the level of poverty in which they live in their countries. And the most affected are the unskilled low-income migrant workers and domestic workers.

The reasons are numerous, some of which are:
- Lack of awareness of their rights
- Language barriers with employers and relevant government authorities
- Fear of reprisal when trying to defend their own rights
- Inadequate knowledge of rules and regulations in the gulf countries
- Inadequate support from their embassies and communities

To combat these issues, MWPS has structured itself into four core committees.

Action Committee: To actively support male and female migrant workers round the clock who are experiencing work-related injustices

Shelter Committee: To manage the shelter that houses female domestic workers who have been abused by their employers until their cases have been resolved by government institutions and authorities.

Labor Safety & Welfare Committee: To work towards ensuring that health and safety standards are being adhered to in both the work place and in the labor accommodation.

Fund Raising Committee: To raise necessary funds to support the activities carried out by the society.

The Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain has been of tremendous support as well. In 2009, MWPS received a generous donation from HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Ministry of Social Development and the Indian Embassy have pitched in as well.

All other funding comes from private donors and charitable organisations as well as their own fund-raising events.

In addition, MWPS owes its gratitude for the cooperation and assistance provided by the Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), General Directorate for Nationality, Passports, and Residency (GDNPR), Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Development and the media.

Challenges
However, the members have a few challenges to contend with:
- The lack of adequate compliance with and implementation of existing laws.
- Shortage of dedicated and committed volunteers to contribute long hours in addressing the different issues faced by migrant workers.
- Language barriers when dealing with the workers and the government authorities.
- Slow judiciary and bureaucratic processes that can take anywhere between 6 months to 2 to 3 years even. To a worker that can mean no salary and unemployment for the duration of the court case.

Reaching Out
MWPS positions itself through regular mention in the press, by word of mouth, through constant communication with the embassies and through government institutions such as police stations and hospitals.

Members are always available to render their help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, sometimes long after midnight even, accepting all complaints if any migrant worker is in trouble irrespective of caste, religion, and race.

They are also approached by various government departments and agencies and have built strong working relationships with them.

Achievements
MWPS is now a recognised society in this field nationally, regionally and globally who regularly meet and interact with many similar international organisations.

MWPS has established a strong relationship with various government entities. It is regularly consulted by various government departments in the Kingdom of Bahrain and asked for its input and contributions through workshops and conferences. It is one of only 3 non-governmental organisations invited to attend the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Personas at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

They have also launched a Gas Stove initiative, which creates awareness and identifies the dangers of using kerosene stoves in labor accommodation and aims to in turn replace these with safer gas stoves.

In time, they hope that the work and living conditions of all low income migrant workers can be raised to an acceptable standard, safe for everyone.

Vision
MWPS hopes to help change the general attitude of the public towards these employees who have made great sacrifices by leaving their homes and families behind to work in the country. After all, these people help make lives easier and help to accomplish more for the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people.