By SOMAN BABY
LABOUR Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi has urged the Indian community not to allow anyone to violate its human rights.
He said the general amnesty declared by the Bahrain government is to help those who are staying here illegally after falling victims to the malpractice of people who have violated human rights.
Dr Al Alawi, who was speaking to the Indian community on amnesty at the Indian Club, said his mission for next year would be to abolish the sponsorship system in Bahrain.
“I am confident that when a new system comes into effect next year, with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) taking over the responsibility of issuing work visas, the sponsorship system will also be abolished,” he added.
By SOMAN BABY
LABOUR Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi has urged the Indian community not to allow anyone to violate its human rights.
He said the general amnesty declared by the Bahrain government is to help those who are staying here illegally after falling victims to the malpractice of people who have violated human rights.
Dr Al Alawi, who was speaking to the Indian community on amnesty at the Indian Club, said his mission for next year would be to abolish the sponsorship system in Bahrain.
“I am confident that when a new system comes into effect next year, with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) taking over the responsibility of issuing work visas, the sponsorship system will also be abolished,” he added.
Dr Al Alawi warned the Indian workers against falling victims to people who play with the lives of others.
“I am sure that even after the end of the amnesty period, there will be unscrupulous people both in India and Bahrain carrying out their work of sucking the blood of poor workers,” he noted.
“They shall continue their work of selling cheap labour to the Gulf. Don’t let them succeed.”
Dr Al Alawi, who is also the LMRA chairman, said employers who hold on to the passport of workers are also violating human rights.
“No one has the right to keep another person’s passport, and it is punishable under the LMRA law number 19,” he added.
“The Labour Ministry will strictly deal with such employers, and we have asked the embassies to submit us a list of employers who refuse to hand over the workers’ passports and thereby hampering the amnesty process.”
Dr Al Alawi said the government successfully implemented the mid-day work ban during the hottest hours of the day during July and August, despite tremendous objection to the move from the business community.
“The Cabinet decided to ban outside work between noon and 4pm because of Bahrain’s respect for human rights,” he added.
“The amnesty has been declared not taking into consideration its economic and legal implications, but because of humanitarian reasons.
“The first month of amnesty is over, and there is a grace period of four more months, and I appeal to all illegal workers to make the best use of the amnesty period.
“In fact, the Bahrain government has frozen the laws for five months to help all illegal people either to leave the country without paying penalty or to legalise their stay.”
Indian Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed, who also attended the meeting, praised the government’s amnesty move and urged the Indian community members to fully co-operate with the government.
The minister’s speech was followed by a question- answer session.
Indian Ambassador Balkrishna Shetty thanked Dr Al Alawi for speaking to the Indian community and clarifying their doubts on the amnesty process.
The meeting was also addressed by LMRA chief executive Ali Radhi and attended by officials of the Labour Ministry, LMRA, the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence, and the Industry and Commerce Ministry.
soman@gdn.com.bh