The Labour Market Regulatory Authority’s Chief Executive Officer H.E Mr. Jamal Abdulaziz AlAlawi said that the issue of trafficking in persons in all its forms is considered an organized crime and handling it requires a special set of capabilities and skills.

“The Kingdom of Bahrain exerts unwavering efforts and endeavors in this field by preparing and qualifying internationally recognized trainers”, said H.E Mr. AlAlawi at a press release marking the launch of the Regional Center’s first training of trainers program targeting those who deal with victims of trafficking, under the supervision of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority and in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration and United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime in the GCC, from 13th till 15th December 2021.

“The Labour Market Regulatory Authority attaches prime attention in combating trafficking in persons as part of its ongoing ambitious strategies. The Regional Center of Excellence for Capacity Building in the Field of Combatting Trafficking in Persons will embrace a training plan that is tailored to suit those strategies, with the aim of identifying this crime as well as safeguarding the rights of its victims and provide them with all necessary assistance and support in line with the best international practices”, H.E Mr. AlAlawi added.

LMRA’s CEO stated that training and qualifying cadres specializing in this field is the essence of combating trafficking, due to the seriousness of this crime and its consequences on the stability of the community and work environment, in addition to the violation of human rights and dignity.

“The program will offer a solid base of trainers who are regionally recognized in the field of combating trafficking in persons, through providing them with the necessary tools to impart knowledge relevant to their area of specialization, as well as introducing them to the key concepts and prevailing trends of trafficking. This is achieved through preparing and qualifying trainers who deal with victims or potential victims, based on their scope of work in the concerned authorities. In return, this greatly contributes to raising awareness, build capacity and strengthen the role assumed by first responders of combatting trafficking in persons” H.E Mr. AlAlawi emphasized.

The Regional Center of Excellence for Capacity Building in the Field of Combatting Trafficking in Persons is milestone in Bahrain’s pioneering experience in combating trafficking in persons”, Mr. AlAlawi concluded.

Participating in the program are 8 governmental and non-governmental bodies including Primary Health Care Centers, National Communications Center, Ministry of Information Affairs and Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Tourism, in addition to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, Bahrain Airport Company, Bahrain Airport Services Company and Bahrain CSR Society.

Moreover, the program will endeavor to develop training programs and curricula related to victims’ psychology, proper methods of intervention, in addition to fostering the capacity building of this targeted category from different fields who encounter or deal with victims or potential victims of trafficking, through collaboration with several specialized national experts and practitioners.

On the medical front, the program will promote the capabilities of identifying victims or potential victims of trafficking, or those who are subject to exploitation. In addition to training and qualifying them on the diagnosis of the cases, dealing with them and adopting proper measures in this regard.

While on the press and media front, the program will develop specialized training courses aimed to shed light on the various forms of trafficking through different media platforms with the aim of raising community awareness on combating trafficking in addition to the rights of migrant employees as a primary step in preventing victimization.

Additionally, the training program will assist those working at the borders and airports who are considered first responders to victims or potential victims of trafficking as well as introducing them to the indicators and practice of exploitation. The program also aims at developing the capabilities of shelters’ supervisors in dealing with and caring for victims of trafficking, in addition to the rehabilitation and reintegration of victims and gaining their trust.

Among the key objectives of the training program is developing labour inspectors’ capabilities of identifying indicators of trafficking and adopting proper methods and measures to deal with the crime.