UNIONISTS are urging Bahraini authorities to ratify a global treaty that came into force yesterday and protects the rights of domestic workers.
The General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) said Bahrain, like other GCC countries, had not ratified the Domestic Workers Convention.
GFBTU women and children affairs head Suad Mubarak said the International Labour Organisation (ILO) supported the convention, which obligates governments to protect domestic workers from violence and abuse.
“When anyone speaks about the right of housemaids in Bahrain they are sidelined or ignored as people do not want to hear about days off or limited working hours,” said Ms Mubarak.
In countries that ratified the treaty domestic workers are entitled to weekly days off, have their hours of work limited, are guaranteed a minimum wage and social security coverage.
“We at the GFBTU have been actively campaigning about this convention, but it is going to be tough for Gulf countries to approve it,” said Ms Mubarak.
She added there was very little awareness about the convention among GCC citizens.
“This is a big problem for us,” she said.
“In Bahrain all the benefits of this convention are eclipsed by problems employers face when their housemaids run away with the help of organised groups, who encourage these women to leave and work elsewhere.”
She said Bahrain had taken a major step by introducing a new labour law that addressed employment and humanitarian concerns of domestic workers.
It includes guarantees of payment set out in the contract and plane tickets home, as well as clearly setting out their entitlements.
The ILO has also recognised Bahrain for the new legislation, even if it has not ratified the convention.
“Since the convention’s adoption, several countries have passed new laws or regulations improving domestic workers’ labour and social rights, including Venezuela, Bahrain, the Philippines, Thailand, Spain and Singapore,” the ILO stated yesterday.
Migrant Workers Protection Society chairwoman Marietta Dias said the most important thing was to make sure laws were actually being implemented on the ground.
“We are pleased that Bahrain has been mentioned by the ILO for introducing legislation to protect domestic workers,” she said.
“But having laws without them being implemented is of no use and we want every domestic worker who musters up the courage to complain against their sponsor to be protected.”
She said that while there had been progress in terms of legislation, domestic workers’ cases should be resolved faster.
“It makes it difficult for a worker to stay in the country without any job, when her case is in court,” she explained.
Eight countries have so far ratified the ILO convention, while others are taking steps towards ratification.
Once they do they are bound to adhere to it.
The GDN reported in June, 2011 that Bahrain voted in favour of adopting the convention at the 100th session of the International Labour Conference, in Geneva.
The government delegation and a workers’ delegation led by GFBTU secretary-general Salman Mahfoodh backed the convention, while officials from the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry had reservations.
sandy@gdn.com.bh