By SOMAN BABY

MANAMA

NEW DELHI: Bahrain is to abolish its sponsorship system by the end of this year, Labour Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi revealed yesterday.

An International Labour Organisation (ILO) expert will work with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) in drafting the best measures for achieving it, he told the GDN, in an exclusive interview.

“Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Economic Development Board chairman Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa is very keen to abolish the practice of sponsorship and liberalise the labour market,” said Dr Al Alawi, at the end of a four-day official visit to India.

“His aim is to allow free movement of labour, irrespective of their nationality, as the government allows free movement of capital and services.

“The abolition of the sponsorship system will fulfil the government objective of preventing the violation of human rights and all types of human trafficking.”

A leading Bahraini businessman said last night that the effect of scrapping sponsorship could be chaotic. Hundreds of companies and establishments could be disrupted, he said.

“If they want to do this, a period of at least two years should be allowed for old contracts to be arranged. Any employee wishing to leave should give at least three months’ notice so that his boss has enough time to find a replacement.

“There must also be a clear clause that if such rules are violated the employee cannot work in Bahrain for at least a year.”

“We don’t want employees to feel we are ignoring their rights, but rights must be recognised on both sides,” he said.