Trafficking battle call

By BEGENA P PRADEEP,

BAHRAIN must step up the battle against human trafficking, according to a new US State Department report.
The country remains on a special watchlist of nations being monitored for what action they are taking to combat the problem, despite issuing new guidelines on the employment conditions of migrant workers.
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Flying in the face of freedom

BY LES HORTON

I remember when I first came to Bahrain, a senior journalist described it as a “good news society”, which he said was intolerant of the truth or criticism.
There was certainly a combative relationship between the media, certain authorities and larger private organisations, who felt that they should control what appeared in local newspapers.
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Bahrain society to intensify protests against scrapping of sponsorship system

Manama: A Bahraini non-governmental society has threatened to launch a wave of strikes and rallies and issue calls for resignations to help reverse the decision to scrap the sponsorship system for foreigners.
“The action threats were sparked by the decisions of the labour ministry and which are invariably targeting the economically-challenged sections of the society,” Waheed Al Dossari, the honorary head of the Bahrain Fishermen Society, said. “However, our actions will this time be loud and clear, especially that our movement has already won the support of butchers and vegetable and fruit sellers,” he said.
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Visa rule hope for children…

By BEGENA P PRADEEP
Children born to parents working for different sponsors may soon be given residence permits, officials revealed yesterday.
Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) chief executive officer Ali Radhi said he had come across cases where children born to parents working for different sponsors are denied a residence permit by law.
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Blocking the way

I read about the renewal of residence/work permits for expatriate staff who are above 60.
But I don’t find any of the criteria mentioned in the report being followed, ie, – the employee should have a minimum salary of BD1,000/; he should have an educational background, be medically fit, etc. Residence permits for expatriates above 60 are renewed just on application.
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