Bahrain to scrap sponsorship system

Dubai, May 4 (UNI) Bahrain is set to scrap the sponsorship system for Indian expatriate workers and others, the Kingdom's Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa informed Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi.

''The Crown Prince said Bahrain is in the final stages of implementing a new Labour Law, which would give better protection to expatriate workers,'' Mr Ravi said.

''Once the law comes into force, according to the Crown Prince, the next stage will see the scrapping of the sponsorship system, thereby giving equal rights to both Bahraini and expatriate workers,'' the Gulf Daily News quoted the minister.

''I was also happy to hear from the Crown Prince about the government's plan to set up a special labour force police to protect workers,'' he said.

He also said the new Labour Market Regulatory Authority would interact regularly with the ambassadors of labour exporting countries, including India.

Mr Ravi, arrived in Bahrain yesterday as part of a Gulf tour and next stop is Dubai.

UNI XC SC KP1533