Bahrain's efforts in combating human trafficking praised

Manama, Nov. 1 (BNA): Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) CEO and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons (NCCTP), Osama bin Abdullah Al-Absi, today received Senior Regional Adviser for North Africa and the Middle East of International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ambassador Hassan Abdelmoneim, and Head of the International Organization for Migration's Mission, Iman Erekat. Al-Absi briefed the delegation on the labour market reform project and the actions taken by the LMRA and NCCTP to address the phenomenon of irregular employment and human trafficking. He said that respect for individuals' rights and principles of equality stems from the culture of Bahraini society, noting Bahrain's keenness on international conventions relating to human rights and respect for labour rights. He pointed out the national laws and legislation issued relating to the free movement of labour that benefited 50,000 workers, and the launch of the flexible work permit, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East, that includes irregular labour in the system, providing that rights of all parties are protected. He welcomed cooperation with the International Organization in the interest of the national policies for the reform of the labor market, as well as benefiting from international expertise in the area of labour rights. Ambassador Abdelmoneim praised Bahrain's efforts in combating human trafficking, ensuring the rights of expatriate workers, and the establishment of an expatriate labour shelter center, which is the first comprehensive center to refuge and accommodate 120-200 victims of trafficking operations. He lauded the LMRA's efforts in organizing Bahrain Award for Community Awareness aimed at promoting the dissemination of the culture of respect for the expats' rights, looking forward to boosting cooperation with Bahrain to combat human trafficking.