Protecting Rights for Foreign and National Workers

Washington DC
May 29, 2007

As Bahrain's economy continues to grow apace, so too are employment opportunities for national and foreign workers. 67,000 jobs were created in Bahrain in 2005, that in a country of only 600,000. With the rapid growth of the GCC economies in recent years—Bahrain is among the fastest, if not the fastest, expanding economy in the region—will come substantial increases in jobs.

In this environment, the Bahraini government is striving to improve worker rights by partnering with non-governmental organizations to increase awareness and protection of worker rights and through programs like the National Employment Project (NEP), a job training and placement program. To date, thousands of people from the program have secured work and up to 10,000 jobs are available through NEP. Women account for more than 75 percent of those registered in the NEP.

In efforts to protect workers’ rights, the Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society launched an initiative to protect Bahraini and expatriate jobseekers by raising awareness of their legal rights and advocating for better laws and treatment. Beginning in 2008, all expatriates in Bahrain will be covered by health insurance through 2012.

“The Bahraini workforce is among the most qualified and skilled in the Middle East and, as the economy grows, more expatriates will come to Bahrain seeking employment,” said Bahrain Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Naser Al Belooshi. “Improving, protecting and enforcing their rights will be key to ensuring a stable and happy workforce to fuel our growth into the future. These efforts put Bahrain at the forefront in ensuring worker's rights.”