01 August 2016 – The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, expressed deep concern for expatriate workers in Bahrain. In a meeting at the Gudaibiya Palace in Manama on July 27, the Prime Minister stated that he heard about the situation of the stranded Filipinos in Saudi Arabia and wanted to hear firsthand from the Embassies of the Philippines, Thailand, and India regarding the situation of their nationals working in the Kingdom. 

The meeting, which was called by the Prime Minister, was attended by Thai Ambassador Chayapan Bamrumgpong, Chargé d’affaires Maria Paz Cortes of the Philippine Embassy in Manama, and Chargé d’affaires Meera Sisodia of the Indian Embassy. All three embassy representatives expressed appreciation for the Prime Minister’s concern for the expatriate community in Bahrain, as well as for the cooperation of different agencies of the government in helping address the problems encountered by expatriate workers. 

The Embassy representatives also informed the Prime Minister that, in general, their nationals have not had a similar situation as that of the Filipinos in Saudi Arabia and problems encountered by Filipino nationals and other expatriates in Bahrain are more easily resolved because of the regulations and policies already being implemented by Bahrain authorities, particularly the Labor Market Regulatory Authority.

Recognizing the vital role played by expatriate workers in the Kingdom’s development, the Prime Minister gave reassurance that the Kingdom of Bahrain will ensure that the rights of expatriate workers in Bahrain will be protected in accordance with national laws and international conventions. He likewise assured the Embassy representatives that his office will remain open to all expatriate workers’ concerns. END