By: Nanju Francisco
Photos by: Von Francisco
Manama: Strong alliance building across government agencies, commercial enterprises, civil groups, and individual citizens remains essential to maintain momentum against human trafficking, declared H.E. Nibras Talib, Chief Executive Officer of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons.
His remarks were delivered during the inauguration of the 3rd Anti-Human Trafficking Forum, an event centered on harnessing collaborative national action to counter trafficking, attended by Ministry of Labour Undersecretary Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, alongside members of the diplomatic corps, committee representatives, and senior dignitaries.
The gathering marked the unveiling of a refreshed identity for the LMRA Regional Centre for Training in Combating Trafficking in Persons. Operating in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the facility delivers train-the-trainer initiatives, formulates research frameworks and operational guidelines, and establishes victim protection schemes.
In his address, LMRA CEO Talib lauded the launch of a dedicated scientific research award on anti-human trafficking by Minister of Interior General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, characterizing it as a pivotal initiative designed to advance academic study, reinforce state policies and procedures, and cultivate inventive strategies to curb human exploitation.
He affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain proactively adapts and refines its legislative and operational frameworks in response to shifting labor market dynamics to safeguard the rights of both employees and employers. Furthermore, he noted that the forum prioritized fostering shared accountability to cultivate safe working environments, ethical operational standards, and enhanced public knowledge regarding legal rights and regulations.
The LMRA Chief also underscored a recently signed memorandum of understanding with the Institute of Public Administration aimed at elevating professional training and institutional capability, alongside the creation of the Best Practices in the Private Sector Award for Combating Human Trafficking.
Honored at the event were Bapco Refining, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), and Talabat, all of which received awards celebrating their commitment to safeguarding worker rights, thwarting trafficking risks, and establishing responsible employment practices.
Talib further urged stakeholders to confront evolving trafficking threats driven by modern digital technologies. Drawing attention to this year’s United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons—which highlights victim exploitation in online scams and digital crimes—he commended active state initiatives to heighten awareness surrounding cybercrime hazards.
Additionally, the forum included a panel session exploring the growth of domestic and international alliances. During the discussion, Aishath Ihma Shareef, IOM Chief of Mission in the Kingdom of Bahrain, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to reinforcing Bahrain’s anti-trafficking framework, protecting vulnerable persons, encouraging safe, orderly, and dignified migration, and furthering the expansion of the Regional Centre for Training in Combating Trafficking in Persons.
