MIGRANT WORKERS' RIGHTS NGO APPROVED BY GOB

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000015

SIPDIS

STATE FOR G/TIP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/03/2015
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KDEM BA
SUBJECT: MIGRANT WORKERS' RIGHTS NGO APPROVED BY GOB

REF: MANAMA 1503

Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) The GOB gave the Migrant Workers Protection Society
permission to operate December 29. The Society, which
provides support to abused expatriate housemaids and
laborers, replaces the Migrant Workers Group (MWG),part of
the dissolved Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR).
Following the BCHR's closure in September for alleged
violations of the 1989 Societies Law (reftel),Migrant
Workers Group members applied for registration as an
independent organization under the new name. While waiting
for official approval from the Ministry of Labor and Social
Affairs (MOLSA),the MWG's volunteers continued their
activities (including physically rescuing abused housemaids
from their employers) without government interference.


2. (C) The Society will focus on preventing abuse; resolving
differences between employers and migrant laborers;
counseling and rehabilitating victims; and supporting
legislation to protect workers' rights. Society board
members also said they would open a shelter for abused
migrant workers. Last year the GOB promised to help the MWG
in this effort and named a site for the shelter. According
to MOLSA Director of Labor Relations Sheikh Ali Al Khalifa,
preparations are complete and the shelter lacks only the
GOB's approval to begin providing services. Sheikh Ali
expects approval in the coming months.


3. (C) Comment: The GOB's registration of the Migrant
Workers Protection Society demonstrates recognition within
some quarters of the government that the BCHR contributed
positively to society in certain areas, even sensitive ones
such as the mistreatment of foreign workers. Unfortunately,
this recognition is not spilling over into broader acceptance
of the BCHR; a court case filed by the BCHR demanding the
re-opening of the center is still in the courts, and former
members despair that it may really be closed permanently. We
continue to advocate for the re-opening of the center, and
await resumption of the court case on January 16.

MONROE