INPUT FOR CHILD LABOR REPORT

UNCLAS MANAMA 000031 SIPDIS BAGHDAD FOR AMBASSADOR ERELI DOL/ILAB FOR TINA MCCARTER DRL/ILCSR FOR TU DANG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI USAID BA SUBJECT: INPUT FOR CHILD LABOR REPORT REF: 08 STATE 127448 ¶1. Summary: Child labor in Bahrain is infrequent, and tends to be in family-owned and -operated shops. The GOB did not amend statutes pertaining to child labor. There were no reports of children involved in trafficking, slavery, or slavery-like conditions. End Summary. ¶2. The following responses are keyed to queries in reftel para 9. The GOB has not changed laws pertaining to child labor since March 2008. ¶A. The labor law of 1976 continues to generally prohibit the employment of children under the age of 16. Juveniles between ages 14 and 16 may obtain official authorization to work from the Ministry of Labor if they can prove an urgent need to provide financial support for their families. Juveniles who obtain such permission may work no more than six hours per day with a one hour minimum rest period. Minors may not work overtime, nor in industries deemed hazardous or unhealthy by the Ministry of Health. These regulations do not pertain to employment where the only other employees are family members. The law also prohibits forced and compulsory labor. The comprehensive Anti-Trafficking Law of 2008 stipulates increased fines and jail terms for trafficking of minors. In 2007, there was no comprehensive anti-trafficking law, although one was passed in January, ¶2008. The law prohibits any violation of public morals, which includes prostitution and pornography. The law stipulates that the minimum age for mi litary recruitment is 18 years. ¶B. The law holds employers, supervisors, and guardians responsible for minors who violate the prohibitions, and authorizes a fine of between 50 and 200 Bahraini Dinars (130 and 530 USD) for each violation. The government provides its 43 labor investigators with training to monitor and enforce the laws regarding child labor. No child labor violations have been reported, although there have been instances of underage migrant workers allegedly lying about their age to secure employment. The government does not devote significant resources to investigating child labor cases. ¶C. The government does not devote resources specifically to prevent or withdraw children from the worst forms of child labor. ¶D. Education is free and compulsory in law and practice, and widely attended. The government cites the lack of a child labor problem as its cause for not having a comprehensive policy to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. ¶E. Statistics on child labor were not available. Working juveniles were found in small numbers, typically at their parents' shops. This does not represent a change from the previous year. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** HENZEL