Combating Trafficking in Persons for Labor Exploitation in Bahrain
(February 17-21, 2007)

As part of the Bahrain Labor Market Reform project sponsored by USAID, The Protection Project traveled, in cooperation with the Education Development Center, to Manama, Bahrain, to conduct a training program for government officials and NGO representatives on the topics of trafficking in persons for labor exploitation in Bahrain. The keynote speaker for the event, Minister of Social Development Dr. Fathima Al Balooshi stated that the Government of Bahrain had set up a national action plan against trafficking, and anti-trafficking legislation has been drafted. In addition, the government has recently opened a shelter to protect victims of trafficking. The Protection Project provided rigorous training on guidelines for operating such a shelter, as well as on a Code of Conduct for corporations and companies such as employment agencies that may be facilitating arrangements between migrant workers seeking employment in Bahrain and prospective employers. Among other dignitaries taking part in the program events were US Ambassador to Bahrain William Monroe and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Assistant Undersecretary Shaikh Abdulaziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, chair of the inter-ministerial task force of the government of Bahrain against trafficking in persons. Bahraini press covered the event.