Back
SDG 8.2.4

 

SDG Resources


SDG 8.2.1
SDG 8.2.2
SDG 8.2.3
SDG 8.2.4
SDG 8.2.5
SDG 8.2.6
SDG 8.2.7
SDG 8.2.8
SDG 8.2.9
SDG Menu

Policy Against Forced Labor

https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Policy-against-forced-labour-2017.pdf

ASU has a policy that seeks to minimize everything concerning non-forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour, in such a way that the policy generates awareness that this situation should be avoided, from any scope, both in ASU as in Bahrain and the whole world.

Throughout 2019–20, ASU has continued to embed and enhance the various controls and activities outlined in its policy, notably through the ongoing roll-out of its online training module on this topic, and the continued refinement and operation of supplier due diligence and approval procedures. ASU did not receive any reports of instances of modern slavery or human trafficking in the financial year ending 31 July 2020. ASU will continue to raise awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking and of the need for proper due diligence and risk assessment processes to be applied by staff and suppliers, in accordance with its policy.

ASU has made an update to its policy with the purpose of improving the content and strategies for the year 2021 regarding no modern slavery and no human traffic, and child labor.  In this new update, an online training module on the fight against slavery and human trafficking has been added with the purpose of informing all members of the university about these topics.

Policy Statement

  1. ASU has developed an online training module on anti-slavery and anti-trafficking and completion is required or encouraged for a range of relevant new and existing employees, including all Finance Division staff and those in financial or purchasing roles across the wider University.
  2. The university will participate, organize, conduct, and/or activities that spread the awareness regarding human trafficking, modern slavery, child labour, and/or forced labour.
  3. The university, along with other institutions in the Kingdom of Bahrain, must adhere to national laws against exploitation of humans; and, by any means, directly and indirectly, involved in criminal acts of child labour, forced labour, human trafficking, and modern slavery.
  • Applied Science University adheres to the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to the American Statue against human-trafficking TVPA. The TVPA formally criminalizes acts of human trafficking and forced labour. The Kingdom of Bahrain achieved a Tier 1 status in full compliance with the TVPA and the university is dedicated to following.
  • Applied Science University adheres to the Kingdom of Bahrain’s decreed the Child Law (2012) which addresses children’s rights, health, education, custodianship, as well as protection against child labour. The Child Law is in congruence with the international Geneva Convention No. 182 regarding the ‘Worst Forms of Child Labor’, which the Kingdom of Bahrain’s signed in 2001.
  • Applied Science University adheres to the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Decree No. 7 for the year 1999 titled ‘Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery of 1956’ which criminalizes acts of modern slavery and human trafficking.

 4. The Policy against forced labour, modern  slavery, human trafficking and child labour is supported by the following principles:

  • The university will have a zero-tolerance stance against seriously investigate any reports of human trafficking, modern slavery, child labour, and/or forced labour.
  • The university will refrain from dealing with any individuals or institutions who are confirmed to be involved directly or indirectly with human trafficking, modern slavery, child labour, and/or forced labour. Dealing here refers to, and not exclusive to, procurement, financing, research, organizing, and promoting any acts of human trafficking, modern slavery, child labour, and/or forced labour.
  • The university will not harbour any individual or institution suspected of being involved directly or indirectly with human trafficking, modern slavery, child labour, and/or forced labour.
  • The university will cooperate with the law enforcement authorities that will aid in their efforts to prevent and/or prosecute individuals and institutions involved directly or indirectly with human trafficking, modern slavery, child labour, and/or forced labour.
  • The university, on confirmation of any exploitative acts of that, is criminalized by the adhered to international and national laws, and university bylaws will be escalated to the relevant authorities.
  • The university will participate, organize, conduct, and/or activities that spread the awareness regarding human trafficking, modern slavery, child labour, and/or forced labour.

Bahrain Labour Law

https://www.gulftalent.com/repository/ext/Bahrain-Labour-Law.pdf

Chapter 8: Employment of Juveniles (page 15)

Article 49

In accordance with the provisions of this Law a “juvenile” means every male or female person of fourteen years of age but not exceeding sixteen years of age.

Article 50

It is prohibited to employ a juvenile of either sex who is under the age of fourteen years.

Article 51

Juveniles between the ages of fourteen and sixteen years old may, having regard to the provisions of Article 42 of this Law, be employed in accordance with the undermentioned conditions:

  1. having the permission of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
  2. have undergone a medical examination before engagement and periodically thereafter to ensure a satisfactory standard of health; the result of such examination to be recorded in a certificate the particulars of which shall be prescribed by an Order to be made by the Minister for Health in agreement with the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs.
  3. such employment of juveniles shall be in industries and occupations other than those deemed to be hazardous or unhealthy and enumerated by an Order made by the Minister for Health in agreement with the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs.

Article 52

Juveniles shall not be employed during the period of night, which is between sunset and sunrise, the duration of which shall be not less than eleven hours.

Article 53

Juveniles shall not be employed effectively for a period exceeding six hours a day. They shall not be permitted to remain in the employment premises for more than seven consecutive hours. The hours of work shall be interrupted by one or more intervals, the total of which shall be not less than one hour for rest and a meal. Such interval or intervals shall be so arranged that juveniles shall not work for more than four consecutive hours.

Article 54

Under no circumstances whatsoever shall juveniles be allowed to work overtime, to remain in the employment premises beyond the hours of work fixed for them or to be employed during the weekly days of rest. Generally, they are not subject to the exceptions prescribed concerning working hours and leave entitlements. In any event, the wages of juveniles shall not be fixed on the basis of piecework or productivity.

Article 55

The annual leave entitlement for juveniles shall be not less than one full month. A juvenile shall neither waive nor defer any of his leave entitlements.

Article 56

An establishment which employs one or more juveniles shall: 1. post up in a prominent place within the employment premises a copy of the provisions prescribing the employment of juveniles; 2. maintain a permanent register for juveniles recording their names, ages, the date of their engagement for employment and their jobs; 3. post up in a prominent place within the employment premises a list recording the hours of work and the intervals for rest; 4. notify in advance the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the names of persons employed to supervise their work.

Article 57

The Minister for Labour and Social Affairs may make an Order regulating any other conditions of employment of juveniles and their conditions of work.

Article 58

Exempted from the application of the provisions of this Chapter are juveniles employed within the environment of the family where members of the same family only are working under the supervision of the father, mother, husband, brother, sister, uncle or grandfather.

Chapter 9: Employment of Women

Article 59

No female shall be employed between the hours of 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. except employment in infirmaries and other institutions for which the conditions of work therein shall be prescribed in an Order to be made by the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs.

Article 60

It is prohibited to employ any female in industries or occupations which are dangerous or unhealthy for her unborn child. Such industries and occupations shall be prescribed in an Order to be made by the Minister for Health in agreement with the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs.

Article 61

A female worker shall be entitled to maternity leave on full pay for forty-five days which shall not be deducted from her annual leave provided she produces a medical certificate attested by the Ministry of Health stating the expected date of her confinement. Such maternity leave shall include the period before and after confinement. Further, she may have an additional leave without pay for fifteen days.

Article 62

When a female worker returns to her employment after maternity leave she shall be entitled to a period or periods of rest in order to suckle her newly born child and the total of such periods shall not exceed one hour each day and shall be in addition to the normal intervals of rest granted to all the workers.

Article 63

No employer is permitted to terminate the service of a female worker on the grounds of her marriage or during her leave due to pregnancy and confinement. The Minister for Labour and Social Affairs shall make an Order prescribing the occupations and jobs in respect of which an employer may offer alternative employment to a female worker because of her marriage.

Article 64

A female worker shall forfeit her entitlements under the provisions of this Chapter if it is proved that she was found to have been employed by another employer during her approved leave of absence. The former employer may deprive her of her wages for the period of the leave or recover the amount already paid to her.

Article 65

The Minister for Labour and Social Affairs may make an Order for any other regulations in respect of the employment of females and their conditions of work.

Community Engagement Office Visited the International Organization for Child Protection (INOCPT)

https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Community-Engagement-2018-2019-Final-Version.pdf

As part of Community Engagement Office at Applied Science University initiatives in supporting the various sectors of society; On Tuesday, 5 March 2019, Community Engagement Office at Applied Science University Visited the International Organization for Child Protection (INOCPT). During the visit, a meeting was held with a number of heads of associations with a speciality in the field of childhood to discuss methods of cooperation.

ASU Supported a Visit to Batelco House for the Care of Anonymous Children

https://www.asu.edu.bh/category/news/page/10

The Community Engagement Office at Applied Science University supported an entertainment visit to Batelco House for the Care of Anonymous Children organised by Al-Hoora and Al-Gudaibya Social Centre on Saturday 31 March 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ASU student Shikha AlZaied, who played a significant role in organising the visit thanked the University for supporting the event. The event included a lot of activities for the children such as competitions, colouring and drawing, distributing gifts, henna, face painting, colour sand war, and jerba show. At this same event, talks were held to address issues such as child trafficking and child labor.

ASU Supported Gargaoun Celebration in Hidd City

https://www.asu.edu.bh/category/news/page/12

The Community Engagement Office at Applied Science University supported Gargaoun celebration that was held for children with cancer disease, orphans, and the local community in Hidd City on 28 May 2018. Mrs Hanaa Dowisan, Member of Community Engagement Office, who played a significant role in organising the celebration, mentioned that the event that was organised with the collaboration of Mr Yousif AlThawadi, Member at the Municipal Council for Hidd City, included many activities such as competitions, traditional games, traditional band, distributing gargaoun, and best traditional costume competition.

Lecture about Internet Risks on children

https://www.asu.edu.bh/category/news/page/14

As a part of CE Office activities Dr. Mohammed Alaa Hussain Al-Hamami delivered a lecture about Internet Risks on children during the National Celebration Day at Al- Fateh Preschool on 10/12/2017.

Special Criminal Legislations

https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Prospectus-1-12-2018-.pdf

ASU to contribute to the problem of human trafficking offers a course to its students on “Special Criminal Legislations”, which covers topics mentioned in the ASU policy on no child labour and no human trafficking

Labor Market Regulatory Authority

http://lmra.bh/portal/en/page/show/199

ASU has relied on its policy on accordance with the laws of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Labour Law.

Department of State Trafficking in Persons (TiP)

http://blog.lmra.bh/en/2018/07/01/bahrain-reaches-tier-1-status-in-us-department-of-state-trafficking-in-persons-report/

In this same way, Bahrain has become the first Arab State to reach Tier 1 in the US Department of State Trafficking in Persons (TiP) Report, receiving this distinguished honour in the 2018 edition. “Getting elevated to Tier 1 in the US State Department TiP Report is a recognition of the progress that the Kingdom of Bahrain has achieved in this field,” said Mohamed El Zarkani, IOM Bahrain Officer in Charge, who went on to explain that the Kingdom of Bahrain’s efforts to combat TiP is a perfect example of the positive progressive attitude adopted by the Government.

The Government of Bahrain fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The government continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting period; therefore, Bahrain remained on Tier 1. International Organization for Migration (IOM), and The Government of Bahrain has worked strictly to protect victims of trafficking, strategies and collaborations include the development of Standard Operating Procedures for the Expatriate Protection Shelter; the development of a National Referral Mechanism for vulnerable migrants; establish an assistance fund for victims of trafficking; and widespread capacity building for government staff.

“According to the trafficking in persons report June 2019 made by the United States of America, the Government of Bahrain fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The government continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting period; therefore, Bahrain remained on Tier 1. The Government of Bahrain allowed more undocumented workers to sponsor themselves independent from an employer, and it digitized its victim case management system within its National Referral Mechanism (NRM) to increase the efficiency of referrals from a broad array of stakeholders and enable better monitoring and evaluation. Its law enforcement efforts were disproportionately focused on sex trafficking, as it infrequently investigated, prosecuted, or convicted cases of forced labor. Incomplete legal authorities and limited access of labor inspectors and other relevant authorities to domestic worksites hindered the implementation of existing laws governing the sector”.

Field Trip to the Office of the International Child Protection Organization in the Kingdom of Bahrain

https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PND-V8-Issue06-04-December-22.pdf

The Political Science Department organized a field trip for a group of students, accompanied by Dr. Abdulrahim Al-Arkan, to the office of the International Child Protection Organization in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The visit took place on Wednesday, 11th of March 3233. The students were received by Ms. Iman Al-Balooshi, Deputy Director of the organization’s office in Bahrain, who led them on a guided tour. During the tour, she explained the humanitarian principles that the international covenants and conventions are based on to protect and care for children. She highlighted the organization’s efforts to collaborate with specialized official institutions and bodies to enhance the educational, relief, and psychological aspects for children, aiming to establish partnerships and uplift the educational, relief, and psychological systems for children.

The visit aimed to bridge the theoretical aspects with practical application, providing the political science students with an up-close experience of the organization’s services and logistical support, relief efforts, scientific studies, and the formulation of child protection strategies. The discussions during the visit enriched the students’ understanding of the organization’s role in child development. At the end of the visit, Dr. Abdulrahim expressed his gratitude for the organization’s efforts and highlighted the positive impact of the visit on the students, shifting their perception from theoretical concepts to practical realities.

Applied Science University Visited Aysha Intervention Center

https://www.asu.edu.bh/community-engagement/community-engagement-booklet/

As part of Community Engagement Office at Applied Science University initiatives, Community Engagement Office organised a visit to Aysha Intervention Center on Wednesday, 17 February 2019. Applied Science University visiting delegation included a number of Academic and Administrative Staff and Students. Some activities were implemented to cheer up and support the members of the centre during the visit and gifts ware distributed to them by the University delegation. At the end of the visit, the Management of Aysha Intervention Center thanked ASU Academic and Administrative Staff and Students who participated in the visit.

Applied Science University Visited AlBer House for Parents Care

https://www.asu.edu.bh/community-engagement/community-engagement-booklet/

As part of Community Engagement Office at Applied Science University initiatives; and on the 18th Anniversary of the National Action Charter, Community Engagement Office organised a visit to AlBer House for Parents Care on Thursday, 14 February 2019. Applied Science University visiting delegation included a number of Academic and Administrative Staff and Students. Some activities were implemented to cheer up and support the elderly during the visit and gifts ware distributed to them by the University delegation. In addition, methods of cooperation were discussed between ASU and AlBer House for Parents Care, after that, the University delegation saw the facilities in AlBer House for Parents Care. At the end of the visit, the management and residence of AlBer House for Parents Care thanked ASU Academic and Administrative Staff and Students who participated in the visit.

Community Engagement Office Visited the International Organization for Child Protection (INOCPT)

https://www.asu.edu.bh/community-engagement/community-engagement-booklet/

As part of Community Engagement Office at Applied Science University initiatives in supporting the various sectors of society; On Tuesday, 5 March 2019, Community Engagement Office at Applied Science University Visited the International Organization for Child Protection (INOCPT).

During the visit, a meeting was held with a number of heads of associations with a specialty in the field of childhood to discuss methods of cooperation.

ASU Delivers a Fun Day Out for ‘Batelco Home for Child Welfare’ Children

https://www.asu.edu.bh/community-engagement/community-engagement-booklet/

The ASU Community Engagement Office organised a fun day out for ‘Batelco Home for Child Welfare’ Children at the Oasis Mall in Juffair during the first day of Eid Al-Fitr on 2nd May, 2022, with the participation of a number of ASU Academic and Administrative Staff and Students.

Visiting ‘Batelco Home for Child Welfare’ 8/10/2022

https://www.asu.edu.bh/community-engagement/community-engagement-booklet/

As part of the Applied Science University’s initiatives for community engagement and service, and in conjunction with the Prophet’s birthday, the Community Engagement Office organized a visit to Batelco’s Child Care House (Alternative Care) on Saturday, October 8, 2022, with the participation of a number of academic and administrative staff, the Volunteers Club, students and graduates of the university and the local community . During the visit, a number of recreational activities were held and gifts were distributed to the residents of the house.

Visiting Azhar Al-Harak Nursery Children

https://www.asu.edu.bh/community-engagement/community-engagement-booklet/

Within the initiatives of the Applied Science University for community engagement and service, the Community Engagement Office organized a visit to Azhar Al-Harak Nursery Children affiliated to the Bahraini Center for International Mobility, and meet the nursery children and provide gifts to them on Wednesday 7th December, 2022.

Organising Gurgaon for Azhar Al-Harak Nursery Children

As part of the Applied Science University’s initiatives for community engagement and service, the Community Engagement Office organized a Gurqaon celebration for Azhar Al-Harak Nursery Children affiliated to the Bahraini Center for International Mobility on Monday, 10th April, 2023, with the participation of a large number of the university’s academic and administrative staff.