Manama: The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and in partnership with the Executive Bureau of the GCC Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs, organized a two-day Symposium on Responsible Recruitment and Combatting Trafficking in Persons. The event, held on January 18 - 19, focused on fostering collaboration between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and East and Horn of Africa.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the symposium united more than 120 participants from GCC countries and the East and Horn of Africa. The attendees, including government officials, recruitment agencies, private sector representatives, and technical and vocational education and training institutions, engaged in interactive sessions, panel discussions, and networking activities. The symposium aimed to enhance cross-regional cooperation to promote ethical recruitment practices, advance decent work, enhance skills mobility, and reinforce safeguards against trafficking in persons.
Nibras Talib, CEO of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority and Chairman of the National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Persons, highlighted the significance of shared responsibility across recruitment corridors. He stated that the symposium underscores a collective commitment to ethical recruitment practices, strengthening workers' rights protection, and enhancing cross-border cooperation. Talib emphasized the need to address risks throughout the recruitment and employment cycle, noting that such practices often begin in countries of origin or transit. He asserted that strengthening GCC and East and Horn of Africa cooperation is crucial for improving recruitment systems, enhancing worker protection, and advancing decent work in line with international standards.
Mohammed bin Hassan Al Obaidli, Director General of the Executive Bureau, reiterated that GCC countries prioritize aligning labour market needs with workforce skills by investing in training and linking wages to competency and skills. He emphasized that responsible recruitment is about building trust and resilience across labour markets, aligning regional efforts with international frameworks such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to support ethical recruitment practices and sustainable partnerships.
Discussions at the symposium explored challenges and opportunities across recruitment, employment, and return phases, stressing the shared responsibilities of governments, employers, and recruitment agencies. Participants exchanged good practices and identified practical recommendations to strengthen coordination, improve compliance, and enhance worker protection across business operations and supply chains.
Guided by the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct, the symposium supported ongoing regional efforts to enhance due diligence, responsible business practices, and worker protection across key migration corridors.
The symposium is part of the Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) programme, implemented by IOM and funded by the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It aligns with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, GCC priorities on ethical recruitment, and international frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.