Lawmakers Propose 30% Cap on Foreign Workers in Commercial

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com   

The Services Committee of the House of Representatives is currently reviewing a proposed law that would limit the percentage of foreign workers in commercial establishments to 30% of the total workforce.

The proposed law also includes additional fees to be levied by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) for each worker exceeding the 30% cap, reaching up to 20% of the foreign worker's salary.

The rationale behind the proposed law emphasises the goal of promoting job Bahrainization.

The proposed law seeks to achieve this by setting a fixed percentage of foreign workers allowed in each commercial establishment and imposing fees for exceeding this limit.

The proposal also calls for the inclusion of a gradual increase in Bahrainization rates and a maximum ceiling for foreign workers within the National Labour Market Plan.

This ceiling would apply both to commercial establishments and the overall labor market.

Furthermore, the proposed law mandates that the National Labour Market Plan should include a maximum limit on the total number of work permits issued by the LMRA within a specific timeframe.

This limit would apply across all sectors or be tailored to specific professions and economic activities.

However, the proposed law exempts certain professions where Bahrainis are not readily available, as well as domestic workers.

The justifications for the proposed law cite several articles of the Bahraini Constitution, particularly Article 10, which states that the national economy is based on social justice and fair cooperation between the public and private sectors.

The article stresses the objective of economic development according to a planned strategy and the pursuit of prosperity for all citizens.

The proposed law is currently under review by the Services Committee and is expected to be discussed further in the House of Representatives.