Bahraini lawmaker Mohammed Al-Ahmad has announced plans to submit an urgent proposal urging the government to temporarily halt the recruitment of Filipino domestic workers.
The move, he explained, is a precautionary measure to safeguard the health of citizens and residents as authorities monitor the growing number of HIV/AIDS cases in the Philippines.
Al-Ahmad stressed that the suspension would not be permanent but a temporary step “to protect the health and safety of the community.” He noted that Bahrain is committed to proactive health policies and is closely following updates from international health organizations.
The MP added that Bahrain must also consider alternatives by exploring recruitment from other countries to ensure household labor needs are met without disruption.
According to the World Health Organization, the Philippines now records the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in Asia, with 57 new infections reported daily in 2025. In 2024 alone, an estimated 29,600 new cases were documented.
