The first coalition of NGOs serving expatriates in Bahrain was announced by the Ministry of Social Development yesterday. The Federation of Expat Associations will help facilitate cooperation among civil societies for expatriates in order to promote common interests. The founding organizations include the Bahraini-German Friendship Society, the Kerala Catholic Association and the Egyptian Expat Community.
The federation hopes to strengthen relations between all communities living in Bahrain by engaging them in activities, and providing its members with assistance dealing with healthcare, accommodation, work permits, travel bans or the legal rights of workers. The organization will represent its members in conferences and other events in Gulf, Arab and International countries.
It will also further organize and coordinate activities between its member associations and work to resolve disputes that arise between them, in addition to expressing opinions on topics referred by the Ministry related to member associations.
“We are pleased with this initiative brought forward by members of our expat community. Bahrain is a very diverse society and expats play an integral part in our development. This federation will help them consolidate their interests to the benefit of all,” a government official, said.