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Statement by NIHR Chairman on the Promulgation of the Decree-Law No. (16) of 2021 on the Prohibition of Wage Discrimination between Male and Female Workers in Works of Equal Value

Eng. Ali Ahmed Al-Derazi, Chairperson of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR), commended the promulgation of the Decree-Law No. (16) of 2021 by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of the country, amending some provisions of the Labor Law for the Private Sector, which stipulates To add a second paragraph to Article (39) of the Labor Law for the Private Sector promulgated by the Law No. (36) of 2012, stating: “It is prohibited to discriminate in wages between male and female workers in works of equal value.”

Al-Derazi stated that the amendment reflects the extent of His Majesty's keenness to advance the efforts of the Kingdom of Bahrain towards affirming its permanent respect for human rights as a commitment it exercises without any restrictions or pressures, and in line with what is stipulated in the Kingdom's Constitution, in addition to the fact that it came in line with Arab and international labor agreements prohibiting discrimination at work, especially with regard to preserving the rights of working women, who are considered an essential partner in building and developing the national economy, stressing that this amendment will allow women to work without any discrimination from their male colleagues.

Al-Derazi stated that women’s rights have become an integral part of the commitments undertaken by the United Nations system by strengthening those rights with international agreements, on top of them is the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which binds governments, institutions, governmental and non-governmental, international and non-international organizations to intensify their efforts to protect and promote those rights, where this amendment will bridge the gap in the area of development between men and women, stressing the NIHR’s full support for everything that would enhance the role of women and their enjoyment of their entire rights.