Filipino Migration To Bahrain: A Growing Community

As of 2012, there were approximately 40,000 Filipinos in Bahrain, making up 10% of the country's population. This number includes migrant workers, descendants of the Philippines, and domestic workers. Filipinos in Bahrain work in a variety of sectors, including as accountants, construction contractors, engineers, and sales associates. The country is also a source of remittances sent back to the Philippines, with approximately US$155 million sent back officially in 2011.

Filipinos in Bahrain make up 10% of the population

The presence of Filipinos in Bahrain can be attributed to the country's progressive and open nature, as well as its pioneer policies. Bahrain is a major destination for Filipino domestic workers, with 21,254 documented overseas Filipino domestic workers as of July 2012. However, Filipinos in Bahrain also work in a variety of other sectors, including accounting, construction, engineering, sales, and business and government support staff.

The relationship between the Philippines and Bahrain has always been friendly and cordial, with close cooperation in areas such as manpower recruitment, investments, and tourism. The Philippine government has also established institutions in Bahrain to support the large Filipino community, such as the Philippine School Bahrain, which currently has nearly 900 students.

The Filipino community in Bahrain is diverse, with members hailing from various parts of the Philippines, including Davao, Cebu, and Manila. They call cities such as Hamad Town, Muharraq, and Manama home and come from a range of professional and skilled backgrounds. Many Filipinos in Bahrain also bring their families with them, contributing to the growth of the Filipino population in the country.

Overall, the Filipinos in Bahrain, who make up 10% of the country's population, have played a significant role in strengthening relations between the two countries and promoting cultural awareness.

Filipinos in Bahrain work in a variety of sectors

Filipinos in Bahrain work across a variety of sectors, with an estimated population of 40,000 in the country as of 2012. This number rose to 60,000 in 2017,section comprising both migrants and descendants of the Philippines.

In March 2011, the Philippine government imposed a "deployment ban" on hiring Filipinos in Bahrain due to the Bahraini uprising. This ban was lifted later that year. Filipinos in Bahrain work in many different roles, including as domestic workers, accountants, construction contractors, engineers, sales associates, and business and government support staff. As of June 2012, there were 21,254 documented overseas Filipino domestic workers in Bahrain, and they accounted for 10% of the country's population, with many working in hotels, restaurants, and malls.

In 2020, Bahrain's Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) reported that Filipino workers were the "most preferred" among migrant workers from other countries. This preference is reflected in the number of Filipino domestic workers in Bahrain, which stood at 16,576 as of June 2020, a slight decrease from 18,663 in 2019.

The Philippine School Bahrain was established in 1994 to serve the overseas Filipino community in the country, and it currently has nearly 900 students across three separate schools. The strong presence of Filipinos in Bahrain has fostered good diplomatic relations between the two countries, with the Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain in 1998 noting that Bahrain was the only country in the Middle East with no Filipinos in jail at the time.

Bahrain is a source of remittances sent to the Philippines

Bahrain is a notable source of remittances sent to the Philippines, with the country receiving approximately $155 million in remittances from Bahrain in 2011 and a peak of $166.2 million in 2009. Remittances from Filipino workers in Bahrain constitute a significant portion of the total remittances from the Middle East, with Bahrain being one of the top remittance senders in the region.

The large number of Filipino workers in Bahrain, estimated at around 40,000, contributes to the significant flow of remittances to the Philippines. These workers are employed across various sectors in Bahrain, including domestic work, accounting, construction, engineering, sales, and government support. The Philippine government's "deployment ban" implemented during the 2011 Bahraini uprising temporarily disrupted the flow of remittances by preventing new Filipino workers from entering Bahrain. However, the ban was lifted later that year.

The strong diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Bahrain, dating back to the formal establishment of ties in 1978, have fostered a mutually beneficial partnership. This partnership is reflected in the labour sector, with Bahrain allowing the presence of Filipino workers and implementing policies beneficial to the Filipino community. The two countries have signed agreements in areas such as manpower recruitment, investments, and taxation, further strengthening their economic ties.

The importance of remittances from Bahrain and other Gulf countries to the Philippine economy cannot be overstated. Remittances from Filipino workers in the Gulf nations contribute a significant percentage of the total remittances received by the Philippines globally. This impact was particularly notable in the first nine months of 2023, when remittances from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Bahrain, accounted for 16.49% of the total remittances received by the Philippines.

In summary, Bahrain is a significant source of remittances for the Philippines, and the large Filipino community in Bahrain, supported by strong diplomatic ties between the two countries, contributes to the steady flow of remittances between the nations.

There is a Philippine School in Bahrain

Filipinos in Bahrain are either migrants or descendants of the Philippines living in the country. As of 2012, there were approximately 40,000 Filipinos in Bahrain, making up 10% of the country's population. Filipinos in Bahrain work across a range of industries, including as domestic workers, accountants, construction contractors, engineers, sales associates, and business and government support staff.

Given the significant Filipino population in Bahrain, it is no surprise that there is a Philippine School in the country. The Philippine School Bahrain was established in October 1994 to serve the overseas Filipino community. The school has moved locations over the years, and is currently based in the A’Ali area of Isa Town in Manama. It caters to nearly 900 students across three separate schools: a pre-school, an elementary school, and a secondary school, each housed in its own building. The school is accredited by the Philippine Department of Education and is working towards further accreditation by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities.

The presence of the Philippine School Bahrain ensures that Filipino children living in the country can receive an education that aligns with the curriculum and standards of the Philippines. This can be particularly beneficial for families who plan to return to the Philippines in the future, as it provides continuity in the children's education. The school also serves as a community hub for Filipino families in Bahrain, providing a sense of familiarity and connection to their home country.

In addition to the Philippine School Bahrain, there are other institutions that cater to the Filipino community in the country. For example, there is a Philippine Embassy in Bahrain, located in the Mahooz Area, which provides a range of services to Filipino citizens. The strong diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Bahrain, which were formally established in 1978, have fostered a supportive environment for Filipinos living in the country.

Bahrain is a progressive and open country

Filipinos in Bahrain are either migrants or descendants of the Philippines living in the country. As of 2012, there were approximately 40,000 Filipinos in Bahrain, making up 10% of the country's population. This number has likely grown since, with an estimate of 60,000 Filipinos living and working in Bahrain as of 2017. Filipinos in Bahrain work across various sectors, including as domestic workers, accountants, construction contractors, engineers, sales associates, and business and government support staff. Bahrain is the eighth-largest destination for Filipino domestic workers and has a strong preference for Filipino workers over those from other countries. This preference is reflected in the close diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Bahrain, with the two countries cooperating in areas such as air services, manpower recruitment, investments, and tourism.

Bahrain's progressive and open nature is evident in its labour policies and practices. The country has implemented programs and policies that benefit the Filipino community, and it is known for its pioneer policies and strong Philippine labour office. The low number of incidents involving Filipinos in Bahrain is a testament to the country's progressive and open nature. Bahrain's national ID system also helps ensure accountability and discourages undocumented workers.

The Philippine School Bahrain, established in 1994, serves the overseas Filipino community and currently has nearly 900 students across three schools: a pre-school, an elementary school, and a secondary school. The school is accredited by the Philippine Department of Education and seeks further accreditation from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities.

The strong relationship between the Philippines and Bahrain is further exemplified by the mutual exchange of support on international candidatures in the United Nations and other international organizations. This close partnership has resulted in the signing of 15 agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between the two countries, with four more MOUs currently under negotiation.

In conclusion, Bahrain is a progressive and open country that offers a welcoming environment for Filipinos. The country's labour policies, diplomatic ties, and educational opportunities for the Filipino community reflect its progressive nature. Additionally, the low number of incidents involving Filipinos in Bahrain and the country's pioneer policies further emphasize its openness.

Frequently asked questions