| |
On the occasion of
Human Rights Day, H.E. Dr. Nezar Al Baharna, Minister of State for
Foreign Affairs, launched the Government of Bahrain Report entitled
“Foreign Workers and Labour Conditions in Bahrain”. The report
details some of the issues related to foreign workers in the
Kingdom, such as recruitment fees, wages, excessive work, passport
and mobility as well as other forms of physical and psychological
abuse. It further features solutions and protections currently
available in the Kingdom, as well as future pledges for further
improving working and living conditions of foreign workers in
Bahrain. The Report was prepared in joint consultation with the
Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice and
the Public Prosecutor’s Office, LMRA and the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, with the support of UNDP within the framework of the UPR
Project.
H.E. the Minister stated that provisions have already been included
in Bahrain’s laws to care for migrant workers and protect their
rights. In addition, “Several steps are being coordinated with
regard to unpaid wages, inadequate wages or excessive work and
forced labour”. These include holding discussions with governments
of labour exporting countries and continuing to inspect recruitment
agencies to ensure they follow the law. The Report is in line with
international human rights conventions to which Bahrain is a
signatory explained H.E. Dr. Al Baharna
Dr. Habib El Habr, UNEP/ROWA Director and Regional Representative as
well as acting UN Resident Coordinator, gave a statement in which he
presented an overview of the relationship between human rights as a
principle, human development and sustainable development, stressing
that there is a gap between development and its economic and social
laws and legislation that respects right. Foreign workers must be
provided with suitable conditions for a life of dignity and
fulfilment of their human rights, such as rights of employment,
housing and healthcare and access to clean water and food.
Dr. Habib read to the audience the speech of the Secretary-General
of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon on the occasion of Human Rights
Day 2010. In his speech, the Secretary-General praised the courage
and achievements of human rights defenders around the world and
called for all to become inspired to seek a more just world by
becoming human rights champions ourselves.
Ms. Lana Baydas, Human Rights Officer from OHCHR Middle East
Regional Office, delivered a speech on the occasion on behalf of the
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay. “We owe the
progress we have made to the enormous efforts of hundreds of
thousands of largely unsung heroes, known collectively as human
rights defenders “she said, and added that “Human rights defender is
a title each and every one of us can earn. It is not a role that
requires a professional qualification. What it depends on is regard
for our fellow human beings, an understanding that we are all
entitled to the full range of human rights and a commitment to
seeing that ideal become a reality.” |
