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Bahrain: Passes new Labour Law to protect domestic workers

Bahrain: Passes new Labour Law to protect domestic workers

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by IDWFED published Oct 11, 2012 12:00 AM
Bahrain has passed a new labor law, Labor Law 36, protecting the rights of workers after four years of delays. The legislation, which has been ratified by King Hamad, will impose harsher penalties on employers risking employees’ health and safety, and will also increase vacation time to 30 days and lengthen maternity leave. The law also, for the first time, protects domestic workers.

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Bahrain has passed a new labor law, Labor Law 36, protecting the rights of workers after four years of delays. The legislation, which has been ratified by King Hamad, will impose harsher penalties on employers risking employees’ health and safety, and will also increase vacation time to 30 days and lengthen maternity leave. The law also, for the first time, protects domestic workers.

Employers violating the labor law will be fined between BD 200 and BD 500. If an employee is fired without just cause, the employer may be compelled to pay a year’s salary to that worker.  Employers who do not meet health and safety standards can be jailed up to three months, or will face fines of BD 500 to BD 1,000. In the case of repeat offenders, the punishment is doubled.

Employee leave is also extended under the law. Workers will have 30 vacation days, 15 sick days with pay, 20 additional sick days with half pay, and 20 more days without pay. Sick leave can be extended up to 182 days with the approval of a medical commission. Maternity leave for the private sector has been extended from 45 days to 60 days, with a possibility of extending by another 15 days when necessary, as is the practice in government.

The new labor law is also the first to protect the rights of domestic workers. Domestic workers are entitled to contracts and vacation days. They have the right to petition if employers violate their rights, and they are also entitled to join trade unions. If unemployed, the government will pay expat workers 60 percent of their basic salary until they find new employment.

Labor Minister Jameel Humaidan has six months to create by-laws to enact the new legislation. He said the new private sector labour law is key to regulating the relationship between workers and their employers. The economic and social balance brought about by the new law will boost stability of the labour market and economic growth. “The new law will contribute to employment of national labour force and help solve unemployment,” the minister said.

"Including domestic workers (even though it is in a limited capacity) under Bahrain Labour Laws is a step in the right direction. However, the implementation will be very important. Laws are effective only when there is compliance and enforcement," said  Mehru Vesuvala, an active community volunteer in India.

Photo: Allan Donque/FLICKR

Source: Nuqudy.com & TradeArabia News Service

Story Type: News

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