'File 19/175 Bahrain - Pearling' [‎41r] (80/83)

Peraonsl Note.
~ a-
,Vith regard to the terms of service of the Bahrain pearl
divers, there vvas one procedure which struck me as perhaps
verging on slavery or indentured labour, as follows :
2. A» with a diver in his employ, who owes him R8 ,50/- is
himself indebted to B for Ra.lOO/- A can transfer the divert
services to B until the diver has worked off the debt of
Rs« 50/-
But Mr.Belgrave ejcplains that this is only possible
under the following conditions
1. B must own diving boats, i.e. be in a position to
emplcry and pay divers.
2. If the diver refuses to have his services transferred
to B he cannot be forced to work for B by the Court,
A can however,as in any other country, sue the diver
for debt in the Bahrain Court who would give a decree
if they find the claim proved. The procedure then is
for the court to issue a "Barva" (document) to the
diver to the effect that he can dive for khom he pleases
but that the new nakhuda with whom he works must pay
into the court a percentage of the divert earnings
which goes towards liquidating the diver's debt to
his original nakhuda.
In practice in such circumstances divers generally prefer
to work with B as they are then sure of finding employment.
Id. T.G.P.