The Kingdom of Bahrain has maintained its anti-human trafficking rating among the Tier 2 countries for the second year in a row.

A report released today by the US State Department acknowledged Bahrain’s tangible progress in combating the scourge of human trafficking.

“The US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report noted Bahrain’s continuous efforts to combat human trafficking”, said Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) Chief Executive Officer Ausamah Al-Absi, also chairman of the National Anti-human Trafficking Committee.

Last year’s report removed Bahrain from the Tier 2 Watch List and upgraded its standing to rank among the Tier 2 states for the second consecutive year.

The report commended the LMRA-led efforts to combat trafficking in persons and protect expatriates’ rights, particularly the vulnerable category of domestic workers.

The periodic survey LMRA-referral of labour issues involving suspected human trafficking violations to the Public Prosecution and the Interior Ministry for investigation and legal action.

The National Anti-human Trafficking Committee established a centre last year to shelter human trafficking victims in compliance with international standards.

Designed to shelter 120 people, the facility has the potential to accommodate 200 persons, although the cases which are reported annually in Bahrain are less than half the capacity of the centre, which provides health, psychological, legal, security and social services and counseling under one roof.

LMRA officials endorsed a work plan with international organizations to enhance technical cooperation, focusing particularly on training to develop national competences in charge of combating human trafficking.

It was also agreed to exchange expertise in labour legal issues and establish a National Referral System to coordinate efforts to combat human trafficking.