2021 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor: Bahrain

Moderate Advancement

Note: Due to changes in the trade preferential status of Bahrain in 2018, ILAB conducted no further reports on the worst forms of child labor in Bahrain covering years after 2017.

In 2017, Bahrain made a moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate child labor. The Labor Market Regulatory Authority developed a handbook on the National Referral System for Victims of Trafficking in Persons and opened a shelter for victims. It also conducted training on human trafficking issues for all police officers. Although research is limited, there is evidence that children in Bahrain engage in child labor in domestic work and selling items on the street. The government has not conducted research to determine the nature and extent of child labor in the country. The law does not sufficiently prohibit commercial sexual exploitation of children.

I. Prevalence and Sectoral Distribution of Child Labor

Although research is limited, there is evidence that children in Bahrain engage in child labor in domestic work and selling items on the street. (1; 2) Data on key indicators on children's work and education are not available from the sources used in this report (Table 1).

Table 1. Statistics on Children's Work and Education

Children

Age

Percent

Working (% and population)

5 to 14

Unavailable

Attending School (%)

5 to 14

Unavailable

Combining Work and School (%)

7 to 14

Unavailable

Primary Completion Rate (%)

 

99.5

Source for primary completion rate: Data from 2016, published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2018.(3)

Source for all other data: Data were unavailable from Understanding Children's Work Project's analysis, 2018.(4)

Based on a review of available information, Table 2 provides an overview of children's work by sector and activity.

Table 2. Overview of Children's Work by Sector and Activity

Sector/Industry

Activity

Services

Selling products on the street (1)

Domestic work (1; 2)

The government has not conducted or participated in research to determine the extent to which children are engaged in child labor, including its worst forms. (5; 6)

II. Legal Framework for Child Labor

Bahrain has ratified all key international conventions concerning child labor (Table 3).

Table 3. Ratification of International Conventions on Child Labor

Convention

Ratification

ILO C. 138, Minimum Age

ILO C. 182, Worst Forms of Child Labor

UN CRC

UN CRC Optional Protocol on Armed Conflict

UN CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography

Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons

The government has established laws and regulations related to child labor (Table 4). However, gaps exist in Bahrain's legal framework to adequately protect children from the worst forms of child labor, including the prohibition of commercial sexual exploitation of children.

Table 4. Laws and Regulations on Child Labor

Standard

Meets International Standards: Yes/No

Age

Legislation

Minimum Age for Work

No

15

Article 24 of the Labor Law (7)

Minimum Age for Hazardous Work

Yes

18

Article 27 of the Labor Law (7)

Identification of Hazardous Occupations or Activities Prohibited for Children

Yes

 

Articles 1–2 of Ministerial Order No. 23 of 2013 (8)

Prohibition of Forced Labor

Yes

 

Article 1 of the Law on Combating Trafficking in Persons (9)

Prohibition of Child Trafficking

Yes

 

Article 1 of the Law on Combating Trafficking in Persons (9)

Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

No

 

Article 1 of the Law on Combating Trafficking in Persons; Articles 39 and 44 of the Child Law; Articles 324–325 of the Penal Code (9; 10; 11)

Prohibition of Using Children in Illicit Activities

Yes

 

Articles 59 and 68 of the Child Law; Article 30 of the Law on Hallucinogenic Substances and Drugs (10; 12)

Prohibition of Military Recruitment

     

State Compulsory

N/A*

   

State Voluntary

Yes

18

Article 24 of the Defense Force Act (13)

Non-state

Yes

18

Article 59 of the Child Law; Article 113 of the Penal Code (10; 11)

Compulsory Education Age

Yes

15

Article 1 of the Education Act (14)

Free Public Education

Yes

 

Article 7 of the Education Act (14)

* No conscription (13)

The minimum age protection in the Labor Law does not apply to children in certain sectors, such as domestic work. (7)

The law does not sufficiently prohibit commercial sexual exploitation because offering and using children for prostitution and offering, procuring, and using children for production of pornography and pornographic performances are not criminally prohibited. (10; 11)

III. Enforcement of Laws on Child Labor

The government has established institutional mechanisms for the enforcement of laws and regulations on child labor (Table 5). However, gaps exist within the operations of the Ministry of Labor and Social Development that may hinder adequate enforcement of their child labor laws.

Table 5. Agencies Responsible for Child Labor Law Enforcement

Organization/Agency

Role

Ministry of Labor and Social Development

Enforce child labor laws, along with the Labor Market Regulatory Authority. Take the lead in initial mediation to resolve violations of the Labor Law.(6) Refer violations that are not resolved through mediation to the Public Prosecutor's Office. Maintain a hotline to receive criminal complaints of child labor, including its worst forms.(6)

Labor Market Regulatory Authority

Issue work visas to ensure that individuals coming to Bahrain as migrant workers are at least age 18. Enforce the Law on Combating Trafficking in Persons.(6) Maintain a hotline to assist migrant workers.(6)

Police Department of the Ministry of Interior

Enforce criminal laws that prohibit the worst forms of child labor. Oversee the 12‑person Criminal Investigations Directorate that investigates potential cases of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.(6) Refer any identified child victims of human trafficking or illicit activities to the Center for Child Protection. Maintain a hotline to receive criminal complaints of child trafficking.(6)

Public Prosecutor's Office

Prosecute crimes related to child labor and human trafficking.(6)

Labor Law Enforcement
In 2017, labor law enforcement agencies in Bahrain took actions to combat child labor (Table 6). However, gaps exist within the operations of the Ministry of Labor and Social Development that may hinder adequate labor law enforcement, including human resource allocation.

Table 6. Labor Law Enforcement Efforts Related to Child Labor

Overview of Labor Law Enforcement

2016

2017

Labor Inspectorate Funding

Unknown

Unknown* (6)

Number of Labor Inspectors

33 (2)

33 (6)

Inspectorate Authorized to Assess Penalties

Yes (15)

Yes (15)

Training for Labor Inspectors

   

Initial Training for New Employees

Unknown

Yes (6)

 

Training on New Laws Related to Child Labor

N/A

N/A

Refresher Courses Provided

Yes (2)

Yes (6)

Number of Labor Inspections Conducted

8,212† (2)

Unknown

 

Number Conducted at Worksites

Unknown

Unknown* (6)

Number of Child Labor Violations Found

0 (2)

0 (6)

 

Number of Child Labor Violations for Which Penalties were Imposed

N/A

N/A

Number of Child Labor Penalties Imposed that were Collected

N/A

N/A

Routine Inspections Conducted

Yes (2)

Yes (6)

 

Routine Inspections Targeted

Yes (2)

Yes (6)

Unannounced Inspections Permitted

Yes (2)

Yes (6)

 

Unannounced Inspections Conducted

Yes (2; 16)

Yes (6; 16)

Complaint Mechanism Exists

Yes (2)

Yes (6)

Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Labor Authorities and Social Services

Yes (2)

Yes (6)

* The government does not publish this information.
† Data are from January 1, 2016, to October 30, 2016. (2)

In 2017, the Ministry of Labor and Social Development employed 33 labor inspectors. The number of labor inspectors is likely insufficient for the size of Bahrain's workforce, which includes approximately 831,600 workers. (17) According to the ILO's technical advice of a ratio approaching 1 inspector for every 15,000 workers in industrializing economies, Bahrain would employ roughly 55 labor inspectors. (18; 19)

Criminal Law Enforcement
In 2017, the government's criminal law enforcement agencies appeared to function adequately in addressing child labor (Table 7).

Table 7. Criminal Law Enforcement Efforts Related to Child Labor

Overview of Criminal Law Enforcement

2016

2017

Training for Investigators

   

Initial Training for New Employees

Unknown

Unknown* (6)

 

Training on New Laws Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor

N/A

N/A

Refresher Courses Provided

Yes (2)

Yes (6)

Number of Investigations

1 (2)

0 (6)

Number of Violations Found

0 (2)

0 (6)

Number of Prosecutions Initiated

0 (2)

0 (6)

Number of Convictions

N/A

0 (6)

Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Criminal Authorities and Social Services

Yes (5)

Yes (6)

* The government does not publish this information.

In 2017, the Labor Market Regulatory Authority, in cooperation with UN agencies, conducted training for all police officers on human trafficking. (6)

IV. Coordination of Government Efforts on Child Labor

The government has established mechanisms to coordinate its efforts to address child labor (Table 8).

Table 8. Key Mechanisms to Coordinate Government Efforts on Child Labor

Coordinating Body

Role and Description

Child Protection Center

Coordinate the efforts of five government ministries to address cases of child abuse, including child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Led by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development.(2) In 2017, members of the Center met weekly.(6)

National Committee on Combating Trafficking in Persons

Coordinate policies and laws to combat human trafficking and organize educational and outreach campaigns to raise awareness on trafficking in persons.(20) Led by the Labor Market Regulatory Authority and comprising representatives from eight state entities and NGOs.(1) In 2017, the Labor Market Regulatory Authority developed a handbook on the National Referral System for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, which highlights the roles and responsibilities of government agencies and NGOs in combating human trafficking.(21)

V. Government Policies on Child Labor

Research found no evidence that the government has established policies to address child labor.

VI. Social Programs to Address Child Labor

In 2017, the government funded programs that may contribute to eliminating or preventing child labor, which cover the main sectors in which child labor has been identified in the country (Table 9).

Table 9. Key Social Programs to Address Child Labor

Program

Description

Child Protection Center†

Provide services, including educational and psychological services and, in extreme cases, placement in foster care, for children who have been subjected to abuse and negligence, including child laborers.(22; 23) Research was unable to determine whether activities were undertaken under this program during the reporting period.

Expat Protection Center*†

Labor Market Regulatory Authority's shelter that provides services to the victims of human trafficking.(24) Research was unable to determine whether activities were undertaken under this program during the reporting period.

* Program was launched during the reporting period.
† Program is funded by the Government of Bahrain.

VII. Suggested Government Actions to Eliminate Child Labor

Based on the reporting above, suggested actions are identified that would advance the elimination of child labor in Bahrain (Table 10).

Table 10. Suggested Government Actions to Eliminate Child Labor

Area

Suggested Action

Year(s) Suggested

Legal Framework

Ensure that the law's minimum age provisions do not exclude children in certain sectors, including in domestic work.

2014 – 2017

Ensure that laws criminally prohibit and have criminal penalties for all aspects of commercial sexual exploitation of children.

2016 – 2017

Enforcement

Publish data on Labor Inspectorate funding and the number of inspections conducted, including at worksites.

2009 – 2017

Increase the number of labor inspectors to meet the ILO technical advice.

2017

Publish data on initial training for criminal investigators.

2013 – 2017

Government Policies

Adopt a policy that addresses all relevant forms of child labor.

2009 – 2017

Social Programs

Collect and publish data on the extent and nature of child labor to inform policies and programs.

2009 – 2017

Implement activities under the programs of the Child Protection Center and the Expat Protection Center.

2017

References

1. U.S. Embassy- Manama. Reporting, January 17, 2016.

2. —. Reporting, January 17, 2017.

3. UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, both sexes (%). Accessed April 22, 2018. http://data.uis.unesco.org/. For more information, please see “Children’s Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions” in the Reference Materials section of this report.

4. UCW. Analysis of Child Economic Activity and School Attendance Statistics from National Household or Child Labor Surveys. Original data from National Child Activity Survey (SIMPOC), 2013. Analysis received January 12, 2018. Please see “Children’s Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions” in the Reference Materials section of this report.

5. U.S. Embassy- Manama. Reporting, January 29, 2015.

6. —. Reporting, January 24, 2018.

7. Government of Bahrain. Law No. 36 of 2012 on the Promulgation of the Labor Law in the Private Sector. Enacted: August 2, 2012. http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/MONOGRAPH/91026/105342/F265276925/BHR91026%20Eng.pdf.

8. —. Ministerial Order No. 23 of 2013 determining the cases, circumstances and any other conditions, governing the employment of minors, and determining the occupations, industries and dangerous and hazardous works in which minors may not be employed. Or which may be harmful to their health, safety or ethical behavior in accordance with the various age stages. Enacted: June 13, 2013 http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.detail?p_lang=en&p_isn=95260&p_country=BHR&p_count=323.

9. —. Law No. 1 of 2008 on Combating Trafficking in Persons. Enacted: 2008. http://www.unodc.org/res/cld/document/bhr/draft_law_no__1_of_2008_with_respect_to_trafficking_in_persons_html/Bahrain_TiP-Law_2008-ArEn.pdf.

10. —. Law No. 37 of 2012 on the Promulgating the Child Law. Enacted: August 9, 2012. http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.detail?p_lang=en&p_isn=92395&p_country=BHR&p_classification=04.

11. —. Decree No. 15 of 1976 on the Promulgation of the Penal Code. Enacted: 1976. http://www.unodc.org/res/cld/document/bhr/1976/bahrain_penal_code_html/Bahrain_Penal_Code_1976.pdf.

12. —. Law No. 15 of 2007 on Hallucinogenic Substances and Drugs. Enacted: August 10, 2007. http://www.legalaffairs.gov.bh/Media/LegalPDF/K1507.pdf.

13. —. Law No. 32 of 2002 on the Promulgation of Bahrain's Defense Force Act. Enacted September 24, 2002. [Source on file].

14. —. Law No. 27 of 2005 on Education. Enacted: 2005. http://www.legalaffairs.gov.bh/LegislationSearchDetails.aspx?id=2416#.VIixS9LF-So.

15. ILO. Labour Inspection in Arab States: Progress and Challenges. 2014. http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---arabstates/---ro-beirut/documents/publication/wcms_325618.pdf.

16. Government of Bahrain. Decision of the Minister of Labor No. 29 of 2013 on the organization of the labor inspection. Enacted: 2013. http://www.legalaffairs.gov.bh/LegislationSearchDetails.aspx?id=30300#.VOuM8tLF-So.

17. CIA. The World Factbook. Accessed January 19, 2018. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ba.html. Please see "Labor Law Enforcement: Sources and Definitions" in the Reference Materials section of this report.

18. ILO. Strategies and Practice for Labour Inspection. Geneva, Committee on Employment and Social Policy. November 2006: GB.297/ESP/3. http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/relm/gb/docs/gb297/pdf/esp-3.pdf.

19. UN. World Economic Situation and Prospects 2017 Statistical Annex. New York. 2017. https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/publication/2017wesp_full_en.pdf. Please see “Labor Law Enforcement: Sources and Definitions" in the Reference Materials section of this report.

20. National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons. The Plan of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons. 2014. [Source on file].

21. Bahrain News Agency. Foreign minister receives LMRA chief. April 23, 2017. http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/782374.

22. Ministry of Labor and Social Development. Child Protection Centre. Kingdom of Bahrain. April 24, 2018. http://www.social.gov.bh/node/348.

23. U.S. Embassy- Manama. Reporting, May 18, 2018.

24. Bahrain News Agency. Bahrain's anti-human trafficking strides highlighted. July 29, 2017. http://bna.bh/portal/en/news/795738.