Housemaid abuse in Bahrain has been well-documented.  Many migrant workers have been beaten, sexually abused, and denied wages.  The exploited maids usually are poor women hoping to support their families back at home.  However, the hopes are usually proven false, as employers commonly take advantage of the maids by forcing them to comply with sponsors. For example, a large Bahraini hiring agency was recently investigated for allegedly beating its housemaids.  The complaint stemmed after rescuing a Sri Lankan woman from her employer.  Although she was not abused personally, she witnessed over 20 fellow maids being beaten and returned to their sponsors. 

Recognizing the problem, the Bahraini government has taken steps to help the housemaids.  The Bahraini government created amnesty for the maids desiring to return to their home nation.  One purpose of this six month amnesty is to allow abused women bypass employers to return to their country, and avoid repercussions for breaching their contract.  Also, the amnesty allows expatriates to register with the Bahraini government to prevent future deportation.  The registration of expatriates will allow the government to better regulate the migrant workers, and hopefully protect against future discrimination and abuse. 

Also, the Bahraini government promised to elevate the women to “worker” status in 2009.  It promises to set legal standards for the maid industry to define how an employer can treat housemaids.  This includes fees for hiring maids, minimum wage, and other regulations barring mistreatment of the maids.  Previously, the employers were given free reign to self-regulate their maids.  The government is hopeful that the creation of a uniform standard will make employers legally accountable for the treatment of their maids and eliminate abuse, discrimination, and maltreatment.

Gulf Daily News. Maids’ abuse to be probed. 20 July 2007.
Gulf News.  Bahrain extends amnesty to housemaids. 30 July 2007.
Zawya. Bahrain: ‘Worker’ status for housemaids soon. 28 July 2007.
Bahrain Tribune. Amnesty requests pour in. 2 August 2007.
Gulf Daily News. Victims of Desperation. 8 July 2007.