US embassy cable - 05MANAMA15

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000015 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR G/TIP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/03/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, KDEM, BA 
SUBJECT: MIGRANT WORKERS' RIGHTS NGO APPROVED BY GOB 
 
REF: MANAMA 1503 
 
Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (U) The GOB gave the Migrant Workers Protection Society 
permission to operate December 29.  The Society, which 
provides support to abused expatriate housemaids and 
laborers, replaces the Migrant Workers Group (MWG), part of 
the dissolved Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR). 
Following the BCHR's closure in September for alleged 
violations of the 1989 Societies Law (reftel), Migrant 
Workers Group members applied for registration as an 
independent organization under the new name.  While waiting 
for official approval from the Ministry of Labor and Social 
Affairs (MOLSA), the MWG's volunteers continued their 
activities (including physically rescuing abused housemaids 
from their employers) without government interference. 
 
2.  (C) The Society will focus on preventing abuse; resolving 
differences between employers and migrant laborers; 
counseling and rehabilitating victims; and supporting 
legislation to protect workers' rights.  Society board 
members also said they would open a shelter for abused 
migrant workers.  Last year the GOB promised to help the MWG 
in this effort and named a site for the shelter.  According 
to MOLSA Director of Labor Relations Sheikh Ali Al Khalifa, 
preparations are complete and the shelter lacks only the 
GOB's approval to begin providing services.  Sheikh Ali 
expects approval in the coming months. 
 
3.  (C)  Comment:  The GOB's registration of the Migrant 
Workers Protection Society demonstrates recognition within 
some quarters of the government that the BCHR contributed 
positively to society in certain areas, even sensitive ones 
such as the mistreatment of foreign workers.  Unfortunately, 
this recognition is not spilling over into broader acceptance 
of the BCHR; a court case filed by the BCHR demanding the 
re-opening of the center is still in the courts, and former 
members despair that it may really be closed permanently.  We 
continue to advocate for the re-opening of the center, and 
await resumption of the court case on January 16. 
 
MONROE