The Labour Fund “Tamkeen” in Bahrain has approved a whistleblowing policy as part of a broader plan to enhance its regulatory procedures and transparency, it has announced.
“This initiative aims to implement and uphold the highest standards of institutional oversight, as well as strengthening the framework of cooperation between Tamkeen and all members of the community,” it said in a statement.
The plan also includes an expansion of the dedicated channels for reporting violations, where Tamkeen has launched a dedicated whistleblowing page for reporting violations related to support programs.
The channel serves as a platform for employees, training service providers, business owners, and customers benefiting from Tamkeen’s programs to submit their cases with “complete confidentiality and security,” according to the Fund.
Tamkeen previously launched a specialised team to oversee individual programs and detect any cases of illegal employment or wage manipulation. Several of the fund’s employees have also been granted the status of judicial officers to enhance the legal frameworks followed in regulatory and monitoring procedures, it shared.
“This also aims to develop work mechanisms between “Tamkeen” and relevant authorities to take the necessary measures concerning the cases identified,” it said.
“We strongly believe in the important role community partnership can play in safeguarding public funds through providing direct channels for all clients to communicate with Tamkeen confidentially,” said Her Excellency Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Chief Executive of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen).
The Tamkeen CEO explained that the organisation’s initiative is part of its ongoing efforts to “ensure optimal” use of support programs and to encourage affected individuals to report any violations or suspicions.
“Such reports will be forwarded to the relevant authorities if necessary. This complements our other efforts to update regulatory procedures, increase inspection visits, and enhance integration with partners to minimize any violations, abuses, or misuse of support,” she added.
