‘Maids are not machines’ Justice Minister warns against torture or forced labour of housemaids and domestic workers

The tendency from the part of employers to force domestic workers including housemaids to work longer hours while flouting their legal rights is totally unacceptable, said Minister for Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa yesterday.

Laws and legislations must be considered to ensure that the rights of domestic workers are protected, the minister urged. This came as Shaikh Khalid attended a seminar on ‘Bahrain’s Experience in Combatting Trafficking in Persons’ yesterday at the Institute of Judicial and Legal Studies.

Citing the steps taken by the government to end trafficking in persons, Shaikh Khalid highlighted the need to increase awareness among the people to win the battle.