The Embassy of Sri Lanka in close association with Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) and the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) of Bahrain conducted an Interactive Meeting with Foreign Recruitment Agencies on 19 January 2020, at the Embassy premises.
Representing LMRA Senior Planning Officer Dept. of License Ghada Abdulameer Majeed Radhi and Head of Clients Service, Clients Service Directorate Husain Abdulnabi Abdulrahman Hasan Ali attended the meeting. The LMRA was established in 2006 based on a law issued by King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and the Law has mandated LMRA with regulating and controlling work permits for expatriate employees and self-employed, in addition to issuing licenses for manpower and recruitment agencies.
Twenty-nine (29) licensees registered under the LMRA dealing foreign recruitments in the domestic sector along with their representatives proactively participated the event. At the outset, Ambassador Pradeepa Saram elucidated the role of the diplomatic missions of countries of origin; particularly officials of labour section who act as the focal points when it comes to the welfare and extending services for migrants workers whilst they are in abroad. In this regard, Ambassador Saram emphasized the need to take a combined effort by the Embassy and LMRA officials representing the country of destination, in order to make employers and recruiters respect the rights accorded to migrant workers, including female workers. Ambassador further requested foreign licensees to address issues of female domestic workers expeditiously and to corporate with the Embassy.
Speaking at the event Senior Planning Officer Ghada Abdulameer Majeed Radhi spoke on the rules and regulations vested under LMRA for the foreign recruitment agencies and requested to respect and adhere such regulations throughout the recruitment and in-service procedure. She further referred Sri Lankan migrant workers in Bahrain as hardworking, honest and law abiding citizens.
Bahrain is home to approximately 9,000 Sri Lankans and there are considerable numbers of Sri Lankans who have been living in Bahrain more than 20-30 years. Majority of Sri Lankans residing in Bahrain are engaged in skilled and semi-skilled category employments.
