GDN:Rising abuse cases ‘a cause for concern’

Rising abuse cases ‘a cause for concern’
By BEGENA GEORGE
Published: 17 September 2001

A VISITING Indian MP yesterday rapped the increasing number of labour complaints reported in Bahrain.

Kerala Legislative Assembly deputy speaker Jose Baby said further efforts were required for co-ordination between Bahrain and India to eliminate such cases.

He, however, said that Bahrain was the best among other GCC countries in regards of dealing with expatriate workers.

“Compared to the other Gulf countries, Bahrain must undoubtedly be appreciated for treating its expatriate population with better respect,” said Mr Baby to the GDN.

Rising abuse cases ‘a cause for concern’
By BEGENA GEORGE
Published: 17 September 2001

A VISITING Indian MP yesterday rapped the increasing number of labour complaints reported in Bahrain.

Kerala Legislative Assembly deputy speaker Jose Baby said further efforts were required for co-ordination between Bahrain and India to eliminate such cases.

He, however, said that Bahrain was the best among other GCC countries in regards of dealing with expatriate workers.

“Compared to the other Gulf countries, Bahrain must undoubtedly be appreciated for treating its expatriate population with better respect,” said Mr Baby to the GDN.

“However, the number of labour issues being reported are increasing, which is definitely not a good sign for the relation between Bahrain and India.

“The matter should be taken very seriously, which I’m sure it is but there’s more that can be done to cope up with the situation.”

He said one of the main reasons for the rising number of labour disputes was the lack of appreciation the new generation has for the Indian workforce compared to their forefathers.

“Bahrain’s older generation respected our citizens better and realised their contribution in the making of the developed country,” said Mr Baby.

“This is a give-and-take relationship because in this era of globalisation both the countries need each other for their respective progress.”

He also criticised the role of Indian managers who aggravate the exploitation of the low-paid labourers and said that they should be dealt with severe penalty.

“Analysing the reported strikes, demonstrations or labour issues that take place in Bahrain, we find that the middle men, who are often Indians, help the sponsors exploit the poor labourers,” said Mr Baby.

“Such men deserve the harshest punishment because they’re working against their own brothers.”

He said that the labour cases must be dealt with utmost care and diplomacy to safeguard the strong ties between the two countries.

“Bahrain and India ties are among the best in the world and such cases must be handled in such a way that the relationship between them isn’t harmed in any way, but at the same time our citizens must also be cared for.”

Mr Baby, who left the country last night, arrived here on Wednesday for the formal inauguration of the Palakkad Arts and Cultural Theatre (PAACT), an association of people belonging to the Palakkad district of Kerala.

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