Bahrain's Stance On Child Labor: A Human Rights Concern

Bahrain is a high-income economy, with a large workforce needed to support its growing economy. In 2017, Bahrain made moderate advancements in its efforts to eliminate child labour. However, there is evidence that children in Bahrain engage in child labour, particularly in domestic work and selling items on the street. The country's labour laws, such as the Labour Law for the Private Sector (Law No. 36 of 2012), are designed to ensure equal rights for all workers. While Bahrain has ratified key international conventions concerning child labour, gaps exist in its legal framework that leave children vulnerable to exploitation.

Child labor in domestic work

Morocco has made significant progress in reducing overall rates of child labor and increasing the number of children in school. The number of children engaged in all forms of child labor dropped from 517,000 in 1999 to 123,000 in 2011. The number of children working as domestic workers also appears to have declined, although no recent data is available to establish exact numbers. At the same time, the number of children completing primary school increased—from 62 to 85 percent between 2002 and 2010.

The government has set up Child Protection Units to assist children who are victims of violence or mistreatment, which may include child domestic workers who have fled abusive employers. However, the units have provided assistance to very few child domestic workers.

The government should establish more effective mechanisms to identify and remove girls who are employed below the minimum age or who are above the minimum age but victim to violence or exploitation. Continued public education is needed to inform both sending families and potential employers about the law and the risks of child domestic labor.

Children selling items on the street

There is limited research on the nature and extent of child labor in Bahrain, and the government has not conducted any studies to determine the scope of the issue. However, evidence suggests that children in the country engage in selling items on the street. This is a form of child labor that needs to be addressed and eliminated.

Children who are selling products on the street are often doing so out of economic necessity. They may come from low-income families who struggle to make ends meet, and the money they earn through sales can help support their families. While this may be the case, it is important to recognize that involving children in such activities can deprive them of their childhood and negatively impact their education, health, and overall well-being.

The Labor Market Regulatory Authority in Bahrain has taken some steps to address child labor. In 2017, they developed a handbook on the National Referral System for Victims of Trafficking in Persons and opened a shelter for victims. They also conducted training on human trafficking issues for police officers. These are positive steps towards protecting children's rights and ensuring their safety.

However, there are still gaps in Bahrain's legal framework regarding child labor. The law does not sufficiently prohibit the commercial sexual exploitation of children, and there are concerns about the enforcement of existing laws. The minimum age protection in the Labor Law, for instance, does not apply to children in certain sectors, such as domestic work. This means that children in these sectors may not have the same protections as those in other types of work.

To effectively address child labor, including children selling items on the street, Bahrain's government should take several actions. Firstly, they should ensure that the law's minimum age provisions apply to all sectors, including domestic work. Secondly, they should criminally prohibit and enforce penalties for all forms of commercial sexual exploitation of children. Thirdly, they should increase the number of labor inspectors and provide more resources for enforcement agencies to conduct inspections and investigations.

Inadequate legal protection

While Bahrain has ratified all key international conventions concerning child labor, gaps exist in its legal framework that hinder adequate protection for children from the worst forms of child labor.

The Labor Law for the Private Sector establishes 14 years as the minimum age for employment, but this does not apply to children in certain sectors, such as domestic work and agriculture, or in enterprises owned by immediate family members. The law also fails to sufficiently prohibit the commercial sexual exploitation of children, as offering and using children for prostitution and pornographic performances are not criminally prohibited. This is a major loophole that leaves children vulnerable to exploitation.

In addition, the Ministry of Labor, responsible for enforcing child labor laws, faces challenges in effectively monitoring and controlling working conditions, especially for foreign child domestic workers and those outside the industrial sector. The number of labor inspectors is also insufficient for the size of Bahrain's workforce, which may hinder adequate enforcement of child labor laws.

Furthermore, while the Constitution prohibits forced or compulsory labor, and prostitution is illegal under the Penal Code, there is no specific law prohibiting trafficking or other worst forms of child labor in Bahrain. Although statutes exist under which these crimes can be prosecuted, dedicated legislation would strengthen protection for children.

Insufficient research and data

The Bahraini government has not conducted or participated in comprehensive research to determine the prevalence and scope of child labor in the country. This lack of official data makes it challenging to design and implement targeted policies and interventions to protect children's rights and ensure their well-being.

The available research suggests that children in Bahrain are involved in domestic work and selling items on the street. However, without more detailed information, it is difficult to assess the working conditions, ages of the children involved, and the impact on their health, education, and overall development.

The absence of comprehensive data also limits the ability to monitor trends over time and evaluate the effectiveness of any existing measures or programs aimed at combating child labor. It is crucial to have accurate and up-to-date information to inform policy decisions, allocate resources effectively, and develop strategies that align with international standards and conventions on child labor.

To address these gaps, the Bahraini government should prioritize conducting and participating in research to gather data on the prevalence, distribution, and characteristics of child labor within the country. This includes collecting and analyzing information on the sectors in which child labor is prevalent, the ages and demographics of the children involved, and the socioeconomic factors contributing to the issue.

Additionally, the government should work closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations, and academic institutions to collaborate on research initiatives, share data, and develop evidence-based strategies to prevent and eradicate child labor. By addressing these data gaps, Bahrain can develop more effective policies and interventions to protect children's rights and ensure their access to education, safe and healthy environments, and opportunities for development and well-being.

Bahrain's advancement in eliminating child labor

Bahrain's Advancements in Eliminating Child Labor

Bahrain has made moderate advancements in its efforts to eliminate child labor. In 2017, the Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) developed a handbook on the National Referral System for Victims of Trafficking in Persons and opened a shelter for victims. The LMRA also conducted training on human trafficking for all police officers. These actions demonstrate Bahrain's commitment to addressing the issue of human trafficking, which is often associated with child labor.

Although research on child labor in Bahrain is limited, there is evidence that children engage in domestic work and selling items on the street. The government has ratified key international conventions concerning child labor, such as the ILO Minimum Age Convention and the Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention. However, gaps exist in Bahrain's legal framework regarding the commercial sexual exploitation of children. The government has been suggested to ensure that laws criminally prohibit and impose penalties for this form of child labor.

To improve labor law enforcement, Bahrain should increase the number of labor inspectors and publish data on labor inspectorate funding and inspections conducted. The country has established mechanisms to coordinate its efforts to address child labor, such as the Child Protection Center and the National Committee on Combating Trafficking in Persons. These organizations work to protect children's rights and address cases of child abuse, trafficking, and exploitation.

The government has also funded programs that may contribute to eliminating or preventing child labor, including the Child Protection Center and the Expat Protection Center. These programs provide educational, psychological, and foster care services to children who have been subjected to abuse, negligence, or labor exploitation. Overall, Bahrain has shown advancements in its efforts to eliminate child labor, but further improvements can be made to strengthen the legal framework, enhance enforcement, and increase coordination between government initiatives.

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