VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMK #0034 0221238
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221238Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7544
INFO RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT  PRIORITY

UNCLAS MANAMA 000034 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PLS PASS TO DEPT OF LABOR OCFT FOR TINA MCCARTER 
DRL FOR ANZALDUA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI BA
SUBJECT: WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR 
 
REF: STATE 158223 
 
¶1. Summary: There were no changes to the Bahraini child labor 
situation in 2007.  Child labor is infrequent, and tends to 
be in family owned and operated shops.  The GOB did not 
change any laws pertaining to child labor.  There were no 
reports of children involved in trafficking, slavery, or 
slavery-like conditions.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. In response to reftel paragraph 9:  The GOB did not change 
laws pertaining to child labor in 2007. 
 
A) The labor law of 1976 continues to generally prohibit the 
employment of children under the age of 16.  Juveniles 
between ages 14 and 16 may obtain official authorization to 
work from the Ministry of Labor if they can prove an urgent 
need to provide financial support for their families. 
Juveniles who obtain such permission may work no more than 
six hours per day with a one hour minimum rest period. 
Minors may not work overtime, nor in industries deemed 
hazardous or unhealthy by the Ministry of Health.  These 
regulations do not pertain to employment where the only other 
employees are family members.  The law also prohibits forced 
and compulsory labor.  In 2007, there was no comprehensive 
anti-trafficking law, although one was passed in January, 
¶2008.  The law prohibits any violation of public morals, 
which includes prostitution and pornography. 
 
B)  The 43 labor investigators are provided with training to 
monitor and enforce the laws regarding child labor.  No child 
labor violations have been reported. 
 
C)  Neither the government nor the NGO community devotes 
resources to combat the worst forms of child labor. 
 
D)  Education is free and widely attended. 
 
E)  Statistics on child labor were not available.  Working 
juveniles were found in small numbers, typically at their 
parents' shops.  This does not represent a change from the 
previous year.  There are no reports of children working in 
slavery or practices similar to slavery.  Nor are there 
reports of children involved in trafficking. 
 
********************************************* ******** 
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ 
********************************************* ******** 
ERELI