Construction fuels work permit surge in first half of 2024

TDT | Manama

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More than 296,000 work permits were issued or renewed in Bahrain during the first half of 2024, with construction taking the lead in new permits at 23%, according to figures from the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).

The LMRA’s report for the first two quarters of 2024 shows that active work permits for expatriates rose to 1.26 million.

The increase saw the number of permits climb from 626,528 in the first quarter to 631,763 in the second. In total, 296,647 permits were either issued or renewed in the first half of the year. Of these, 217,275 were renewals, with 118,000 processed in the first quarter and around 99,000 in the second. Meanwhile, 79,372 new permits were granted during this period.

The first quarter saw 45,632, while the second quarter saw 33,740. Largest share The construction sector accounted for the largest share of new permits, followed by trade at 20%, accommodation and food services at 14%, and industry at 10%. The remaining 33% of new permits in the second quarter were spread across other sectors.

Permits for domestic workers also saw a rise, with a 12.6% increase in new permits, totalling 7,304 in the second quarter of 2024. Renewals for domestic workers increased by 7.4%, reaching 6,797.