By Geoffrey Bew - GDN ( 29-11-2006)

A MINIMUM wage should be introduced for female migrant workers in Bahrain, a human rights group said yesterday. Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) women, children and minorities rights director Hala Ramzy Fayez says they should also have the right to a weekly day of rest and be given maternity leave and public holidays.

She said labour legislation must be complemented by criminal laws so that instances of physical, psychological and sexual abuse, forced labour, confinement and the trafficking of women can be prosecuted.

Ms Fayez, who also called for employers and recruiting agencies to be held accountable for abusive practices, made the recommendations at a round-table discussion as part of the second Women's Voices Forum.

The call comes shortly after the Philippines announced it is to double the minimum wage it demands for housemaids working abroad from next month to $400 (BD151).

The move has been approved by the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in Manila and could officially take effect as soon as December 15.

But Bahrain's Labour Ministry has already said that any minimum wage for maids set by the Philippines will not be legally binding here.

Around 40 selected guests attended the debate, at the Bahrain National Museum, including representatives from the Indian Ladies Association, Migrant Workers' Protection Society, Bahrain Business-women's Society and the Pakistani Women's Association.

The BHWS organised the event, Voices of Expatriate Women, which was sponsored by the French Embassy.

Ms Fayez said migrant workers amount to 20 per cent of the total female workforce in Bahrain and therefore play a major role in the productivity of the country.

"Although on the whole, migrant workers enjoy labour rights and a good working environment, there are some sectors where some suffer from low pay, an inappropriate working environment and living conditions resulting in unpleasant experiences," Ms Fayez said.

"The majority of workers are paid BD300 per month and that is mainly due to the large number of unskilled, unprofessional females.

"But on the other hand, three per cent of migrant female workers earn a monthly salary above BD1,000.

"Usually, these workers are paid more in the form of allowances instead of basic pay to reduce the social insurance paid by employers."

She added that estimating the prevalence of abuse was difficult, given the lack of reporting mechanisms available - which in turn caused a lack of legal protection for domestic workers.

The general-secretary of the Paris-based International Federation of Human Rights, Catherine Choquet, also spoke at the event and highlighted the difficulties that migrant women and children encounter in France.

The three-day forum featured round-table discussions with prominent women from Bahrain and France, who discussed women's rights in politics, education and business.

It ended yesterday, but a film festival highlighting the various issues discussed will continue today.

Three productions will be shown at the national museum, starting at 2.30pm, including Iranian Journey, Frozen Angels Journey and Femmes Fatales.

Meanwhile, a number of short films will be shown at the Al Dana Cinema starting 7.45pm and will be followed by a cocktail reception with the Paris-based International Festival of Women Films' president Ghaiss Jasser.

The film, Sabah, will then be shown at 9pm, followed by a discussion at 10.15pm.