"The problem is not with the laws but with their implementation," he told the opening session of a workshop on shelter management training, organised at the National Centre for Non-Government Organisations, Tubli.
The five-day workshop has been organised by IOM, in co-ordination with the Social Development and Foreign ministries, under the patronage of Social Development Minister Dr Fatima Al Balooshi.
It is being attended by representatives of several embassies in Bahrain, the Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS), Dar Al Iman, the Public Prosecution, human rights organisations and others.
"There is a problem with workers in Bahrain who come with a contract and then get another contract when they start working," he said.
"There is also the issue of housemaids being forced to work in bars and then slowly going towards prostitution."
Mr Feldman said it was important for law enforcers, particularly those looking after victims in shelters, to be aware of how to recognise signs of trafficking.
"It is important to treat these people differently since they are the victims and not the perpetrators," he added.
He also emphasised the need for all workers to hold onto their personal papers, including passports, and not hand them over to their employers.
Me Feldman said the IOM’s programmatic response aimed to assist Bahrain by increasing the government’s capacity to protect overseas workers and to fight and prevent trafficking.
"Within this context IOM’s assistance will focus on enhancing existing capacities of the government and partners of civil society in terms of shelter management for the protection of abused workers and victims of trafficking, information campaigns, as well as training the staff of national institutions involved in overseas contract workers’ protection, counselling and assistance," he added. He also said a counter-trafficking programme had been funded by the US government.
"The project will be implemented by IOM in close co-ordination with the Social Development Ministry."
