The Director General of the Arab Labor Organization praises labor legislation in Bahrain

16-10-2020

The Director‑General of the Arab Labour Organisation (ALO), Mr. Fayez Ali Al‑Mutairi, has lauded the Kingdom of Bahrain’s newly enacted labour legislation designed to uphold women’s rights, strengthen their economic and social empowerment, and embed genuine equality between men and women throughout every occupation and profession. He described the reforms as a forward‑looking expression of modernisation, justice and substantive progress towards the eradication of gender discrimination in the labour market. This came in a letter to His Excellency Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, from Mr. Fayez Ali Al‑Mutairi, Director‑General of the Arab Labour Organisation, following Bahrain’s recent adoption of labour legislation that promotes Bahraini women’s employment and embeds gender equality across the private sector. The new framework is set out in Ministerial No. 50 of 2020 on Women Employment at Night and Ministerial Resolution No. 51 of 2020 on the Works in which Women Employment is Permissible. Together, they allow women to work in every profession and role available in the labour market under the Private Sector Labour Law, while safeguarding maternity rights and the specific needs of pregnant employees. Both resolutions abolish all previous restrictions that barred women from night work or from certain jobs in establishments governed by the Private Sector Labour Law. Ministerial Resolution No. 52 of 2020 Prohibition of Wage Discrimination between Male and Female Workers, expressly forbidding any disparity in wages between men and women who hold the same post and work under comparable conditions, in line with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Private Sector Labour Law. Al‑Mutairi affirmed that Bahrain’s forward‑looking labour legislation fully aligns with Arab and international labour standards and broader human‑rights principles. He stressed that these statutes exemplify the Kingdom’s humanitarian ethos and its advanced commitment to creating a work environment grounded in equality and free from discrimination in hiring or occupation. Mr. Al‑Mutairi concluded by wishing the Kingdom further progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country’s great King, may God protect and preserve him. Collectively, the newly issued regulations underscore Bahrain’s sustained drive to entrench gender equality in the labour market, broaden women’s participation across all professions and provide an ever more supportive working environment for Bahraini women.