Bahrain to Force Companies to Improve Working Conditions

Photo Credit: satraawi.deviantart.com

A new law in Bahrain intended to improve working conditions and end human trafficking, will force private companies to compensate dismissed employees and extend annual and sick leave, or face fines. According to Wael Mahdi of Bloomberg, workers will now get “30 days of annual leave, at least 60 days of maternity leave instead of 45, and 15 days of sick leave with full pay.”  The new law updates labor regulations issued 36 years ago, which the Information Affairs Authority claimed “left many legislative gaps and loopholes, especially in relationship to workers’ negotiations with management and ways of settling disputes.”

Meanwhile, during an Iftar banquet hosted by the Ministry of Interior (MOI) Monday, Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa urged officials to respect the constitution and the law, and resort to the use of force “only when all security alternatives have been exhausted.” The statement came a day after the MOI said it will open investigations into human rights abuses on behalf of security forces during crackdowns on protests. Noting Bahrain’s interest to continue its reform process, Prince Salman said ”We are for legitimacy and stability and we do not hesitate to engage in introspection.”