MPs Advocate for Fairer Fines for Foreign Workers’ Permit Violations

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

It’s unfair to impose fines without considering the size of the business organizations when it comes to foreign workers’ permit violations, say Members of Parliament (MPs).

A group of lawmakers argue that fines should be based on the economic activity of the businesses, starting with BD100 for micro-enterprises. Currently, all businesses, regardless of size, face a BD1,000 fine for any violations related to foreign workers.

MPs assert that this blanket approach fails to consider the specific circumstances of businesses and their ability to pay fines.

They cite examples of companies in the construction sector, with 50 to 70 workers, that have gone out of business due to hefty fines. MPs Basma Mubarak, Hamad Al Doy, Bader Al Tamimi, Mohammed Janahi, Hassan Ibrahim, and Mohammed Al Balushi argue that the current system is unfair as it does not differentiate between small and large businesses. Proposed Solutions Lawmakers suggest a more graduated approach to penalties:

1. Initial Warning: First, issue a warning.

2. Small Fine: Start with a small fine for initial violations.

3. Incremental Penalties: Increase the penalties gradually for repeated violations.

This approach, MPs believe, would give organizations a chance to correct their practices and avoid going out of business due to hefty fines.

MPs also call for greater collaboration between the private sector and the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) before issuing new regulations and administrative rulings.

They reached this decision after consultations with business owners, who highlighted that the current fines often exceed the earnings of small businesses, particularly in sectors like construction that heavily depend on foreign labour and are prone to violations due to the nature of their work.

Lawmakers argue that the current flat fine system needs revision to better reflect market realities and the challenges businesses face.

They hope their proposal will lead to a more balanced and fair system that encourages compliance and supports business growth.

The proposal also highlights several loopholes in the current system, such as transferring workers between companies owned by the same individual and the difficulty in complying with regulations when workers are temporarily assigned different tasks.

MPs believe addressing these loopholes will ensure a more transparent and efficient system.