Titus Filio
Contributor

Mandatory health checks must adhere to the standards of international human rights to stamp out discrimination and malpractice which include the outright deportation of foreigners who fail the health tests, cited a report on the state of health tests for foreign workers in Bahrain.
The report on Mandatory Testing in Bahrain-State of Health of Migrants 2007 was done as a collaboration between the now defunct Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) and the Coordination of Action Reearch on AIDS and Mobility (CARAM).

A group of youth has been arrested and there are claims of physical attacks or ill-treatment.

Defend International (DI)

in collaboration with

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR)

Number and Region: Five young men from Karzakan province.

Names: Hassan Ahmed Hassan, Sayed Shbeir Makki, Hassan Mansour Ali, Jafar Abdalnabi Abbas and Hassan Makki Abbas.

Sex: Male

Authorities: Bahraini

Category: Detention / torture or ill-treatment / Judicial proceedings

The case:

State of health of Migrant 2007
Mandatory testing in Bahrain

Mandatory testing Research is made by CARAM network and its member organization The Bahrain Center for Human rights BSHR. It is a part of comprehensive regional report that covers countries of origins and destinations . It is an annual report that included Bahrain for the first time.

1- Migrant-Friendly Testing

A- Informed consent
B- Pre-test and post-test counselling
C- Confirmatory tests
D- Confidentiality of test results

By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 30 October 2007

A SYSTEM designed to detect illness among expatriates could actually be contributing to the spread of disease, according to a new study.

The study found fear of deportation was preventing many sick expatriate workers in Bahrain from seeking treatment.

It said 87,000 migrant workers were tested last year, which is an average of 350 workers per day, but many undocumented workers fled during the testing process over fears of being declared unfit.

Bahrain: Authorities arrest young men on the account of security incidents

Random arrests with no legal evidence and claims of physical attacks

Manama, October 27, 2007

30 October 2007

SOURCE: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Manama

(BCHR/IFEX) - On 28 October 2007, the Supreme Criminal Court of Appeals
convicted journalist Hesham Al-Zayani and the editor-in-chief of "Akhbar
Al-Khaleej" newspaper of smear and defamation against the President of
Arabian University, Dr. Rafia Ghabbash. They were fined a liability of BD
1000 (approx. US$2,650) in addition to court fees. The initial conviction
was made on the basis of article no. 15 of the 1976 Penal Code and no. 47
of the 2002 Press Code.

Published: 26th October 2007

HUMAN rights activists and journalists have condemned the authorities for allegedly snubbing a book which explores whether constraints have prevented the creation of cultural pluralism in Bahrain.

They say the Information Ministry has not authorised the printing of Memory Exploitations: In a Pluralistic Society, several months after the legal period for submitting a publication request has expired.

By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 25th October 2007

THE Philippine government may introduce tougher laws to protect overseas workers in the Gulf from abuse, a visiting congressman said yesterday.House of Representatives Public Information Committee chairman Dr Bienvenido Abante said he was "sick and tired" of the discrimination against and mistreatment of his people.

He was speaking during a one-day visit to Bahrain as part of a two-week tour of the region.

Published: 25th October 2007

MANAMA: Two US servicewomen shot dead in their barracks in Juffair were named yesterday.Genesia Mattril Gresham, 19, from Lithonia, Georgia, had only been working for the military for 11 months and held the rank of master-at-arms, said a statement from the US Navy in Bahrain.

Her colleague Anamarie Sannicolas Camacho, 20, from Panama City, Florida, held the same position and had joined the US Navy in June last year.

They were shot dead at around 5am on Monday at the Naval Support Activity Base.

http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/10/24/10162228.html

10/24/2007 07:06 PM | By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief

Manama: The Islamic Scholars Council yesterday rejected a decision by the Justice and Islamic Affairs Ministry, which set 15 as the minimum marriage age for girls.

By Andrew Scutro - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Oct 24, 2007 14:23:41 EDT

The Navy has identified the two female sailors shot to death in Bahrain on Monday, reportedly by a fellow sailor.

Killed were Master at Arms Seaman Apprentice Anamarie Sannicolas Camacho, 20, of Panama City, Fla. and Master at Arms Seaman Genesia Mattril Gresham, 19, of Lithonia, Ga., in what’s described as “a non-combat related incident.”

Trial of Al-Qaeda suspects opens in Bahrain Tue Oct 23, 1:44 PM ET

The trial of five people charged in Bahrain with belonging to the Al-Qaeda terror network and plotting attacks opened on Tuesday, a lawyer said.

Three Bahraini defendants were present in court, while the two others -- including a non-Bahraini Gulf national -- remain outside the kingdom, lawyer Abdullah Hashem said after the hearing which was not open to the press.

ALERT - BAHRAIN

23 October 2007

Three writers for banned Internet site convicted of criminal defamation, fined

SOURCE: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Manama

(BCHR/IFEX) - On 21 October 2007, the Higher Criminal Court convicted three
Bahraini writers of insult and defamation, fined them 200 Bahraini Dinars
(approx. US$530) and charged them 51 BD (approx. US$135) in damages, in
addition to court fees.

The writers were convicted of defaming the director of Dar Al-Manar Elderly
Care Centre and her husband, in an article published in the electronic

Bahraini Authorities Ban an Academic Publication

Country/Topic: Bahrain
Date: 20 October 2007
Source: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR)
Person(s): Nabeel Rajab
Target(s):Authors, Historians, Artists, Academicians, Researchers
Type(s) of violation(s): Ban, censorship, forbidden,
Urgency: Flash

(BCHR/IFEX) - The following is a statement from BCHR, a member of IFEX:

In a statement published today info@bahrainrights.org, the Bahrain
Journalists Association (BJA) disclosed the news about none endorsement of

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release - 22 October 2007

Bahrain : ARTICLE 19 calls for the ban on women's rights activist Ghada Jamsheer to be lifted

ARTICLE 19 has written to King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa demanding the end of the media 'black out' of women's rights activist Ghada Jamsheer. In early October Ms Jamsheer revealed the existence of a formal decision preventing her from appearing in any of the Bahraini media, both printed and broadcast.

By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 21 October 2007

A GROUP of human rights activists in Bahrain have written to His Majesty King Hamad and Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa urging them to lift a ban on the Hollywood film The Kingdom.

The now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) says the movie, which is also banned in Kuwait, should not be forbidden as it exhibits no offence to public beliefs or Islamic traditions.

By Rebecca Torr
Published: 20th October 2007

VICTIMS of child abuse are being helped to address their pain and regain their self-esteem and trust in others, thanks to a course conducted by a local centre.

The Batelco Centre for Family Violence Victims on Budaiya Highway runs an ongoing course for children aged between six and 18 who have been victims of sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

Prior to the course each child is assessed and an individual programme is set to meet their needs and to help them overcome such things as learning difficulties and behavioural problems.

Amendment of the Indian Emigration Act of 1983 has been necessitated to eliminate the fraud that agents have resorted to, by collecting huge fees from aspiring visa–seekers. It also forms part of the reforms in Indian labour law.
New laws will help weed out fraudulent agents, with stronger punishments, said Vayalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, during a meeting with the media in Bahrain yesterday.
In an aside, Ravi told the Tribune that agents resorting to illegal means to recruit domestic workers will be sentenced to five-year imprisonment.

ALERT - BAHRAIN

19 October 2007

Film banned

SOURCE: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Manama

(BCHR/IFEX) - The Hollywood film "The Kingdom", which explores the "war on
terror" through a fictional story happening in Saudi Arabia, has been
banned in Bahrain. This act was confirmed by the Publication and Press
Directorate of the Ministry on Information without indicating the reasons
behind the censorship order.

The film depicts an FBI investigation of two terrorist bombing attacks that

ALERT - BAHRAIN

19 October 2007

Film banned

SOURCE: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Manama

(BCHR/IFEX) - The Hollywood film "The Kingdom", which explores the "war on
terror" through a fictional story happening in Saudi Arabia, has been
banned in Bahrain. This act was confirmed by the Publication and Press
Directorate of the Ministry on Information without indicating the reasons
behind the censorship order.

The film depicts an FBI investigation of two terrorist bombing attacks that
took place in Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh in May 2003 and in Al-Khobar in June

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
_______________________________________________________________

ALERT - BAHRAIN

16 October 2007

Women's rights defender forbidden from appearing in media

SOURCE: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Manama

**For further information on previous attempts to silence Ghada Jamsheer,
see IFEX alerts of 22 March 2007 and 2 June 2005**

(BCHR/IFEX) - BCHR has expressed its concern about the news revealed by Ms

BCHR expresses its deep concerns about the reaction and ill-treatment carried out by the Bahraini Authorities to a group of citizens planned to make a "site seeing" trip to Um Ne'ssan- third largest island of the Bahrain archipelago. This island, to the west of Bahrain, is the first landing of King's Fahd Causeway, linking Bahrain to Saudi Arabia.

The Minister of Labour, Dr. Majed Al Alawi, who is also Chairman of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), said that a stiff penalty would be imposed on employers who had expatriates working for them illegally after January 2008.
“These employers could be fined up to BD2,000 and six months imprisonment for hiring illegal workers,” Dr Alawi told the Tribune yesterday.
LMRA Deputy CEO Ali Radhi said that employers would be charged BD1,000 for each illegal worker they hired. “If the matter went to court the fine would increase to BD2,000 and could include prison terms.”
Dr Alawi also urged sponsors who have not supplied LMRA with their employees’ updated data to do so before the December 31 deadline.

By SOMAN BABY
Published: 18th October 2007

LABOUR rules in Bahrain and India will be the focus of talks by Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, who arrives in Bahrain today.

Bilateral labour relations as well as the impact of the ongoing amnesty on the Indian workforce here will also come under the spotlight during his three-day visit.

Mr Ravi will also brief the Indian community in Bahrain about the preparations for the forthcoming global conference of overseas Indians, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD 2008), scheduled to be held in New Delhi on January 8 and 9.

The minister's visit is extremely important at a time when both India and Bahrain are changing their labour rules, said Indian Ambassador Balkrishna Shetty.

Anti-riot police clash with Bahrainis protesting restricted access to tiny islands
The Associated Press
Published: October 15, 2007

MANAMA, Bahrain: Hundreds of security troops fired tear gas and heavy rubber bullets on Monday to disperse Bahrainis who gathered in an attempt to visit the kingdom's third largest island, which the public is normally restricted from visiting, local officials and witnesses said.

Minister outlines measures to check exploitation of labour
Alexander M. Arrackal
Staff Reporter

Minister for Overseas Indian Affair Vayalar Ravi yesterday revealed measures being adopted to check the exploitation of Indian labourers.
In an exclusive interview with the Bahrain Tribune on the eve of his Bahrain visit, he highlighted on instructions issued to missions in this regard.
What steps are being adopted by the Ministry for the protection and welfare of the Overseas Indians, especially women?
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has initiated a series of measures for better protection and welfare of Overseas Indians particularly women workers. Memoranda of Understanding with various labour receiving countries are to be signed in order to fulfill our commitment for protection and welfare of workers. We are trying to prescribe a model work contract with specified terms and conditions regarding minimum wages which would have to be attested by the Indian mission concerned. Work contracts which do not meet the criteria of minimum wages will not be attested by our embassies and hence the Government of India would not grant emigration clearance. A comprehensive amendment to the Emigration Act is being considered which will ensure better regulation of recruiting agents in India and better enforcement of measures to prevent illegal migration.

By REBECCA TORR
Published: 17th October 2007

BAHRAINIS are being urged to join the fight against poverty as the world marks International Day for the Eradication of Poverty today. United Nations Information Centre director Nejib Friji said members of the public must do their part and cited Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa as an example.

"Getting rid of poverty is not only the responsibility of governments, it's up to everyone to make a difference," Mr Friji told a Press conference held at UN House, Manama, yesterday.

"We are pleased that the Bahrain Prime Minister stood up against poverty in a manifesto to the Press, which we hope will be an example to others.

By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 17th October 2007

BANGLADESHI authorities are calling for action to halt the rising number of their citizens who die in Bahrain. The number of Bangladeshis who lose their lives in Bahrain every month has doubled in the last four years from two to four, revealed Bangladesh Embassy interim charge d'affaires Masudur Rahman.

He claimed tough weather conditions and workers' negligence were mostly to blame for the increase and said awareness campaigns were needed to educate labourers about looking after themselves better.

Mr Rahman's comments come following the death of another Bangladeshi Naim Chowdhury, who died from cancer.

Published: 17th October 2007

THE now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) has been accepted into a global network of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that promotes freedom of expression.

The International Freedom of Expression Exchange (Ifex), based in Toronto, Canada, welcomed the organisation to its membership of more than 70 groups worldwide.

BCHR vice-president Nabeel Rajab travelled to Montevideo, Uruguay, to finalise the arrangement and joined a meeting of more than 120 free expression advocates and experts from across the globe.

The society's membership comes after it joined the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights (IFHR) earlier this year.

BCHR expresses its deep concerns about the reaction and ill-treatment carried out by the Bahraini Authorities to a group of citizens planned to make a "site seeing" trip to Um Ne'ssan- third largest island of the Bahrain archipelago. This island, to the west of Bahrain, is the first landing of King's Fahd Causeway, linking Bahrain to Saudi Arabia.

Hundreds of security troops, armed with fired tear gas and heavy rubber bullets, were deployed early Monday morning to prevent entry to the sea, besieging the entire west coast from Al-Jasra down to Malekeya. Helicopters were hovering over the entire coast, as well as to support special force, and riot police scrutinizing vehicles intending to pass over King's Fahd Causeway. Around noon time,

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
_______________________________________________________________

ALERT - BAHRAIN

15 October 2007

Internet censorship continues as authorities block website of popular civic organization

SOURCE: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Manama

(BCHR/IFEX) - BCHR has learned that the Bahraini authorities have taken
measures to block access by people in Bahrain to the website of the HAQ
movement ( http://www.haaq.org ).

The HAQ Movement for Liberties and Democracy is a popular civic

The Associated Press
Monday, October 15, 2007
MANAMA, Bahrain: Hundreds of security troops fired tear gas and heavy rubber bullets on Monday to disperse Bahrainis who gathered in an attempt to visit the kingdom's third largest island, which the public is normally restricted from visiting, local officials and witnesses said.

Security troops deployed along Bahrain's western coastal line, especially in Shiite-dominated villages to prevent Bahrainis from approaching Um Nasan island, witnesses said.

Helicopters hovered above and women were seen hurrying to their houses fearing anti-riot police, which sealed off roads leading up to the village of Malikiya and other small towns on the western coast.

At the General Meeting of the International Freedom of Expression exchange (IFEX) held in Montevideo, Uruguay, this week, the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights joined more than 70 group across the world by being accepted as a member of the IFEX network. The meeting was attended by the BCHR vice-president Nabeel Rajab and More than 120 free expression advocates and experts from around the world.

by Dylan Bowman on Friday, 12 October 2007
A shot from the film The Kingdom (Universal Pictures).Kuwait and Bahrain have banned controversial US movie The Kingdom that is based around the 1996 bombing in Saudi Arabia that killed 19 American citizens, officials said on Thursday.

The movie, which stars Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner and Chris Cooper, follows a team of FBI agents sent to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly bombings.

Both Gulf Arab states have banned the film, although it will still be released in the UAE and Qatar on Saturday, reported newswire AFP.

How Arab Regimes Defeated The Liberalization Challenge
Prof. Barry Rubin - 10/13/2007
This article examines democratization efforts in the Arab world and how governments neutralized, utilized, or adjusted to them. The reactions of Islamists and the liberal movements themselves are also examined. In general, the regimes were able to defeat the demands for reform by using a number of classical techniques and new adaptations.

In recent years, from within and without, Arab regimes have faced a democracy challenge. Originally, this arose from a domestic challenge by reform-minded groups that were frustrated by the shortcomings of their countries’ governments. It became increasingly clear that the numerous failures of Arab rulers over many years were not being addressed by changes. Arab states were increasingly falling further behind others in the world in terms of living standards, the level of rights, the treatment of women, responsiveness to rapid changes in the world, and other areas.[1]

Picking up the pieces

Sandeep Singh Grewal

Bahrain Tribune

Every time I opened my eyes, I used to curse myself that I was still alive. Every suicide attempt was a disaster and my only desire was to die… Even when freedom was in the air, I chose death. Yet, as fate would have it, I survived again…

Life as much as it is beautiful can be very ugly too. It is a cruel world out there on the dark side of life.

Six years in Guantanamo Bay can turn life upside down leaving a deep scar at the root of one’s life and beliefs. The past is a blur and the present a painful reminder of the past.

Published: 10th October 2007

BAHRAIN's former Guantanamo Bay prisoner Juma Al Dossary hosted a reception at his family home in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, last night to celebrate his release.

Members of the Al Adala (Justice) National Movement, who campaigned for his freedom, attended the event to congratulate him and his family on his release from the Cuba-based camp in July.

The reception by the detainee, who has dual Bahraini-Saudi nationality, took place at a house in the Al Mazro'aya neighbourhood.

Mr Al Dossary was among a group of 16 Saudis freed from Guantanamo in July and was held in the Al Hair prison, before being moved to the rehabilitation centre several weeks later to prepare him for life in the community.

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 22:59:10

Four Bahrainis are to be the first on 23 October to go on trial under the controversial anti-terrorism law adopted last year in Bahrain.

Three of the suspects are in police custody, while the fourth will be tried in his absence.

All face charges of being linked to al-Qaeda and help financing it, according to the al-Adala (Justice) National Movement general secretary, Abdullah Hashim.

"We have not received a full list of all the charges they will face, but as far as we are aware they will be charged with financing terrorist organizations and being criminals via assistance," Hashim, who is handling the defense, told dpa.

Manama- Aafaq:
The president of the Women's Petition (WP), the Bahraini activist Ms Ghada Jamsheer revealed the existence of a formal decision preventing her from appearing in any of the Bahraini media. In a statement to Aafaq, she stated that in addition to the official media of radio and television, newspapers, whether state or nearby, were also included in the blockade campaign.
Press sources in the capital Manama mentioned to Aafaq that the blockade resolution came directly from the Royal Court, through its Minister- Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, who gave a direct instruction to newspapers preventing publication any article or news related to Jamsheer.

By REBECCA TORR
Published: 6th October 2007

MPs are calling for all of Bahrain's 33 islands to be opened to citizens and tourists for the benefit of the country. Parliament's public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Jawad Fairooz said Bahrain's islands were rich in natural resources and citizens and tourists should be able to access and enjoy them. "We have 33 islands in Bahrain, but we only use the main island and a few others. The rest are closed, or controlled by specific people," he told the GDN.

"For example Umm Al Na'asan is bigger than Muharraq, but no-one can enter it, although part of it could be used for very good environment tourism attractions or other services."

Thousands of Bahrainis mainly Shiites, took to the streets Friday on International Quds (Jerusalem )Day declared by the founder of Iran's Islamic Republic Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini on August 1979.

Demonstrators marched through mainly Shiite villages on the outskirts of Manama chanting "Death to America", "Death to Israel" and "Israel must be wiped off the map."

Imam Khomeini, designated the last Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan "Quds Day" in a show of show support for the world's Muslims in particular the Palestinians.

But it was Hezbollah's longstanding Secretary General Seyyed Nasrallah, who took centre stage this year with Hezbollah's second- in-command, Sheikh Naim Qassem, delivering a pre-recorded message to the rally.

In an open air celebration event at the seacoast of Al-Malekyya village, West of Bahrain, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) was awarded by village inhabitant for “the courageous support for the village to re gain its coast, and its role in taking the issue to the international level”. The BCHR was presented at the event by its president Abdulhadi Alkhawaja and its vice- president Nabeel Rajab.

By SOMAN BABY
Published: 4th October 2007

BAHRAIN'S business community has strongly rejected the proposed six-year residence cap on expatriate workers in the Gulf.

The proposal, backed by Labour Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi, is to be discussed at the 28th GCC summit scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar, in December.

Under the proposal, expat workers could only be allowed to live in the GCC for a maximum of six years.

Dr Al Alawi said earlier that the cap was necessary to preserve the identity of the Gulf, which he says is being diluted by foreign workers.

But the move would have a negative impact on the Gulf's economy, said Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) chairman Dr Esam Fakhro.

Employer in dock

Titus Filio
Contributor

The police have asked the employer to return the passport of a Filipina maid who earlier had complained of physical assault against him.
A case is being prepared against the employer, identified as an Arab working in an embassy who allegedly attacked the maid with a lead pipe on the first day of Ramadhan.
The maid is housed at the Philippine embassy shelter. A medical check on her confirmed she suffered bruises and fractures on her hands when she tried to defend herself. The maid also suffered injuries in the head and the body.
An embassy official said they were in touch with the sponsor. The case has not been forwarded to the Public Prosecutor yet and is now considered a police case, based on the maid’s complaints.

By MOHAMMED AL A' ALI
Published: 5th October 2007

BAHRAIN and other Gulf countries must address the level of expatriates in their countries, as they achieve more legal rights, says Labour Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi.GCC countries will soon have to fall in line with scores of other countries and sign international treaties which give expatriate workers and their families equal rights to their own citizens, he said.

International conventions demand equal rights in terms of housing, education, health services, citizenship and in other areas, he told a gathering at the Bahrain Bar Society, Adliya.

By SOMAN BABY and MOHAMMED AL A'ALI
Published: 5th October 2007

MANAMA: New rights are on the way for expatriates in Bahrain and the Gulf as the region signs up to international treaties, it has been revealed.Expatriate workers and their families will be entitled to housing, education and health services, under global conventions, says Labour Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi.

They could also be entitled to nationality after five years' residency, under international labour treaties Bahrain and its neighbours will eventually have to sign, he said.

Dr Al Alawi said his proposed six-year residence cap on expatriate workers in the Gulf was off the table for next month's GCC Summit in Doha.

By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 4th October 2007

FREED Bahraini Guantanamo Bay detainee Juma Al Dossary has been temporarily released from a rehabilitation centre in Saudi Arabia, it emerged last night.

Human rights activist Nabeel Rajab confirmed the news after receiving a telephone call from the 32-year-old, who has dual Bahraini-Saudi nationality.

Mr A Dossary is now staying for 20 days at his family home in Dammam, after being allowed to leave the Riyadh centre yesterday.

He was among a group of 16 Saudis freed from Guantanamo in July and was held in the Al Hair prison, before being moved to the rehabilitation centre several weeks later, to prepare him for life in the community.

By MANDEEP SINGH
Published: 1st October 2007

NEW restrictions to protect Indian workers from rogue employers and agents - including a minimum wage of BD100 a month for maids - come into force today.

"The regulations will initially be applicable to all housemaids in Bahrain, but will be expanded to all other sections of workers in due course," an embassy official said yesterday.

"We have received an official communication from the Indian government which says no housemaid will be allowed to come for wages less than BD100.

"In addition, the new rules also stipulate that the employer will have to provide a mobile phone to the housemaid, so that she can stay in touch with her family and the outside world."

8 hours ago

DUBAI (AFP) — Bahrain wants a six-year residency cap on the millions of expatriates working in the Gulf who it says are eroding the national character of states in the region, a newspaper reported on Monday.

"The majority of foreign manpower in the region comes from different cultural and social backgrounds that cannot assimilate or adapt to the local cultures," Bahrain's Labour Minister Majeed al-Alawi told Gulf News.

Alawi said he was optimistic the proposal would be adopted by the Gulf Cooperation Council during its annual summit planned for December in the Qatari capital Doha.