The Chief Executive Officer of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons, Ausamah Abdullah Al-Absi, highlighted the Kingdom’s maintenance of its Tier 1 Status in the 2019 US Department of State Trafficking in Persons (TiP) Report, a major historic achievement which builds on the Kingdom’s inclusion as a Tier 1 country in the 2018 TiP Report, the first time a MENA region country was granted this honour.

Al-Absi congratulated His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the achievement and his leadership in implementing the Kingdom’s comprehensive development.

The CE also congratulated the Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, adding that this achievement reflects the concerted efforts of the Government and relevant entities led by HRH the Prime Minister. 

The CE also expressed gratitude and appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, for the unlimited support and leadership provided  by the Government’s Executive Committee. The CE noted the crucial role the Executive Committee played in driving meaningful and innovative initiatives reflected in the TiP report.

Al Absi noted that this achievement represents major international recognition of the Kingdom’s role and efforts to further develop a secure environment for workers. These continued efforts have contributed to upgrading the Kingdom’s rating from ‘under observation’ in 2014 to ‘Tier 2’ in 2015 until reaching the highest possible rating ‘Tier 1’ in 2018.

The CE went on to praise the role of the relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, for forming the National Committee to Combat the Trafficking in Persons, and their dedicated efforts to further strengthen the Kingdom’s working environment and ability to combat the trafficking of people.

Al-Absi expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Interior, led by General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, and the Public Prosecution led by Attorney General Dr. Ali bin Fadhul Al-Buainain, for their unwavering support in safeguarding a secure society and ensuring the accountability of culprits involved in human trafficking.