Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04MANAMA1419
2004-09-14 14:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

LABOR MINISTER WELCOMES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Tags:  PGOV PREL ELAB PHUM KMPI KCRM KDEM BA 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001419 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP AND NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL ELAB PHUM KMPI KCRM KDEM BA
SUBJECT: LABOR MINISTER WELCOMES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE


Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001419

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP AND NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL ELAB PHUM KMPI KCRM KDEM BA
SUBJECT: LABOR MINISTER WELCOMES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE


Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) In an introductory meeting on September 11, Minister
of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA) Majeed bin Mohsin Al
Alawi explained to the Ambassador that his portfolio included
labor reform, vocational training, unemployment, facilities
for the disabled, occupational safety inspections and
enforcement, and labor complaints. Al Alawi added that the
King had assigned him to be the GOB point of contact in the
constitutional dialogue with the four main opposition parties.

--------------
Status of Terrorism Suspects
--------------


2. (C) Al Alawi asked about the status of the Navy
dependents. The Ambassador replied that the Navy will
continue to evaluate its position on dependents in Bahrain,
looking closely at the security situation here. In that
connection, he stated that we are very interested to see how
the GOB handles investigation of the six terrorism suspects.

--------------
Constitutional Dialogue
--------------


3. (C) Al Alawi said that talks resumed on September 11
with the four main opposition societies (Al Wefaq National
Islamic Society, National Democratic Action Society, Al Amal
Al Islami and Al Tajamu Al Watani) in an attempt to resolve
constitutional issues concerning the process of introducing
and passing legislation. Al Alawi remarked that members of
the opposition societies need to run for parliamentary office
if they want to make changes to the constitution. He said he
is being careful not to set a precedent by offering to amend
the constitution outside of the parliamentary process. He
complained that the opposition societies continually solicit
the King's involvement to change the constitution so that the
elected lower house of parliament (Nuwab Council) can secure
more legislative power than the appointed upper house (Shura
Council). Al Alawi told the Ambassador that the King had
decided not to get directly involved in this dialogue. He
stated that this dialogue will not produce any changes to the
constitution through channels outside of the legislative
branch.

--------------
Training and Technical Assistance
--------------


4. (C) PolOff informed the Minister that the Foundation for
Global Leadership's trainers will be in Bahrain December 9-22
to train MOLSA hotline telephone operators and volunteers
from the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights on dealing with
foreign laborers who experience problems in Bahrain. The
Minister thanked the USG for funding this training and
welcomed any technical assistance projects that would help
improve the GOB's labor climate.

--------------
Licensing International NGOs
--------------


5. (C) In response to the Ambassador's inquiry, Al Alawi
referred us to MOLSA Director of NGO Management Badrea Al
Jeeb to work on registration for the MEPI-funded National
Democratic Institute (NDI) project. Al Alawi added that NDI
will need to complete an application and submit a copy of its
by-laws for processing. The Minister remarked that the GOB
has been very pleased with NDI Program Manager Fawzi Guleid
but cautioned that the GOB considers his work with the
opposition to be a sensitive issue, especially during this
time of constitutional dialogue.
MONROE