Bahrain Jobs

Bahrain - (Political) Promoting Freedom of Speech and an Open Media in the Gulf: A Student-Run Campus Radio Station at the University of Bahrain - aims at reinforcing the principle of freedom of speech and the role of an active and pluralistic media in an open and free society. The University of Bahrain mass communication students will run the first campus-based university radio station in the Gulf. This project supports the University's efforts to prepare future media professionals for jobs in the rapidly changing media environment in a country on the path to democracy and political reforms. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: U.S.-Middle East Free Trade Initiatives Mean Jobs and Education

About 70 percent of the 30,000 new Jordanian jobs resulting from the free trade agreement have gone to women, Zoellick said. The trade representative said he and Jordan's King Abdullah planned to inspect a $175 million Jordanian-U.S. joint venture June 23 that had come about as a result of the free trade agreement. He added that the U.S. software giant Microsoft is investing in Jordan and Cisco Systems is establishing an academy for a two-year program in computer training. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: USTR Zoellick Goes to Mideast on Mission to Promote Trade

"I look forward to highlighting President Bush's MEFTA proposal to regional leaders and key opinion makers who have assembled in Jordan for the WEF," said Zoellick. "As one of only four nations with a free trade agreement with the United States, and the only Arab nation, Jordan is an excellent example of how trade can drive economic reforms and growth, creating jobs, prosperity and hope." ...

WTO and FTA policy initiatives have had a transforming impact on those countries that embraced market opening and liberalizing reforms. U.S.-Jordan trade has grown impressively with U.S. goods imports from Jordan totaling $412 million in 2002, an 80 percent increase ($183 million) from 2000, and up 1,321 percent over the last eight years. U.S. goods exports to Jordan in 2002 were $404 million, up 19 percent ($65 million) from 2001. These growing bilateral trade linkages have helped transform Jordan's economy, generating 30,000 new jobs since 1999 and encouraging diversification of Jordanian exports. ... [Read More]

Details of Proposed Middle East Initiatives

The U.S. will establish the Middle East Finance Corporation, a facility to help small- and medium-sized businesses gain access to capital and generate jobs. ... [Read More]

Bahrain

The Constitution states that Islam is the official religion and also provides for freedom of religion; however, there were some limits on this right. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report. In the past, the Government did not tolerate political dissent, including from religious groups or leaders; however, in 2001 the King pardoned and released all remaining political prisoners and religious leaders. In 2002, the King issued a new Constitution and held municipal council and National Assembly elections. The Government continues to subject both Sunni and Shi'a Muslims to some governmental control and monitoring, and there continues to be government discrimination against Shi'a Muslims. Members of other religions who practice their faith privately do so without interference from the Government. Th ... [Read More]

V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G

Chile is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. Most victims are Chilean minors trafficked internally for sexual exploitation. According to a 2003 study conducted by the Chilean National Department of Children’s Affairs (SENAME), at least 3,700 children were victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Traffickers are known to contact victims and their families directly or through advertisements offering jobs as domestic help, models, or product promoters. Chileans have been trafficked to Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, the United States, Europe, and Asia for sexual exploitation. Foreign victims are brought to Chile for sexual exploitation or involuntary domestic servitude from Peru, Argentina, Colombia, and Bolivia, though authorities find it difficult to distinguish trafficking victims from economic migrants. [Read More]

Bahrain

It is a long-term goal of both the Government and the GCBW to replace foreign workers with citizens throughout all sectors of the economy and to create new jobs for citizens seeking employment. ...

Women increasingly have taken jobs previously reserved for men, and constitute approximately 20 percent of the workforce. The Labor Law does not discriminate against women; however, in practice, there is discrimination in the workplace, including inequality of wages and denial of opportunity for advancement. Sexual harassment is prohibited; however, it is a widespread problem for foreign women. The Government has encouraged the hiring of women, enacted special laws to promote their entry into the work force, and is a leading employer of women. The Labor Law does not recognize the concept of equal pay for equal work, and women frequently are paid less than men. Generally women work outside the home during the years between secondary school or university and marriage. ... [Read More]

Bahrain

RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTSSection 1 Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom From: a. Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life There were no reports of arbitrary or unlawful deprivation of life committed by the Government or its agents. On April 27, the High Civil Court ordered the Ministry of Interior to pay BD 40,000 ($106,100) to the family of the 21-year old Bahraini man killed in a demonstration in April 2002. b. Disappearance There were no reports of politically motivated disappearances. c. Torture and Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment The Constitution prohibits torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. During protests on May 21, two civilians were injured by rubber bullets fired by the police. On October 28, rubber bullets or tear gas canisters fired by the police injured two protest ... [Read More]

Bahrain

Bahrain is a monarchy which, in 2002 adopted a constitution that reinstated a legislative body with one elected chamber. The Al-Khalifa extended family has ruled the country since the late 18th century and continues to dominate all facets of society and government. The King, Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, governs the country with the assistance of his uncle, the Prime Minister; his son, the Crown Prince; and an appointed cabinet of ministers. The King chairs the Higher Judicial Council. Members of the Al-Khalifa family hold 9 out of 24 cabinet positions, including all "strategic ministries." The partially elected National Assembly consists of an elected Council of Representatives and an appointed Shura Council. However, the courts have ruled against the Government in the past. The National Action Charter provides that the King is the head of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. The Constitution gives the elected Co ... [Read More]

Bahrain

While the defense and internal security forces predominantly were Sunni, Shi'a citizens were allowed to hold posts in these forces; however, they did not hold positions of significance. In the private sector, Shi'a citizens tended to be employed in lower paid, less skilled jobs. In private conversations, Shi'a consistently complained of discrimination, especially in receiving public sector jobs and slots at the university. While Shi'a acknowledged that the situation was improving slowly, they still made up a disproportionately high percentage of the country's unemployed. Public discussion of this issue remained taboo and any reference to Shi'a complaints in the press were indirect. ... [Read More]