By: Gem B. Reyes
Manama: Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS) has reported a significant increase in migrant worker complaints in Bahrain, prompting renewed calls for stronger labor protections and expanded community support services.
During a press conference held at the headquarters of YK Almoayyed & Sons in Manama, MWPS revealed that 42 new complaints were recorded in the first quarter of 2026 alone. According to the organization, most cases involve unpaid wages, repatriation assistance, immigration penalties, and lack of basic necessities such as food and housing.
MWPS Chairperson Mona Almoayyed announced the release of the latest edition of Migrant Voice, the society’s quarterly newsletter that highlights worker concerns, case updates, and policy recommendations.
One of the major announcements during the briefing was the planned establishment of a dedicated Help Desk for African Communities. The initiative aims to strengthen coordination between migrant communities, community leaders, and foreign consulates to provide better legal assistance, repatriation support, and immigration-related guidance.
“This is not just a hotline—it is a bridge,” Almoayyed stated, emphasizing the importance of improving communication and support for vulnerable workers facing language and legal barriers.
MWPS General Secretary Madhavan Kallath shared comparative data showing a steady increase in cases over the past years. The organization handled 39 cases in 2024 and 86 cases in 2025, with a reported 90% resolution rate. As of early 2026, the society said it has already resolved 85% of the newly recorded complaints.
The organization also renewed its appeal for the implementation of a full three-month summer midday work ban to better protect outdoor workers from extreme heat conditions during Bahrain’s summer season.
In addition to legal and welfare assistance, MWPS reported distributing dry rations to more than 1,000 low-wage workers in 2025 as part of its humanitarian outreach efforts.
MWPS officials stressed that protecting migrant workers requires stronger cooperation between employers, authorities, embassies, and civil society groups to ensure fair treatment and uphold workers’ rights across the Kingdom of Bahrain.
