Boost for Bahrainisation as MPs approve expat worker permit fee hike

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Firms face higher permit costs after Parliament approved a plan tying expat worker fees to Bahrainisation quotas following a heated debate yesterday.

The plan, led by MP Muneer Suroor, forces companies to employ more Bahrainis or face rising charges on foreign work permits over three years.

Firms employing fewer than 70 per cent Bahraini staff in roles considered appealing to locals will see permit costs rise by 20 per cent in the first year, 35 per cent in the second, and 50 per cent in the third.

Job opportunities

“This isn’t just about policy; it’s about ensuring job opportunities for Bahrainis,” Suroor said. “Despite major government investment in education and training, foreigners still dominate the workforce. This law pushes businesses that refuse to hire locals to rethink their approach.”

He also criticised the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) for changing its stance after earlier backing the proposal.

“The LMRA initially supported the idea but later hesitated, claiming the labour market couldn’t handle such a shift. Meanwhile, the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) keeps worrying about business costs while ignoring the deeper issue of over-reliance on expat workers,” he said.

Changes

MP Ahmed Al Salloom, warned that small businesses would bear the brunt of the changes, struggling to cope with higher costs or to find qualified Bahrainis in time.

“Businesses will either raise prices or risk shutting down,” he said. “We need clear guidelines on which roles are considered suitable for locals and how firms can adapt.”

MP Abdul wahid Qarata shared these concerns, arguing that raising permit fees alone won’t solve unemployment.

Real action

“Adding charges won’t create jobs unless we see firm political will,” he said. “We don’t need more reports or committees. What we need is real action.’

Qarata also criticised the lack of clear targets in the plan, saying MPs should have demanded a precise list of affected sectors before voting.

“We can’t back something this vague and hope for the best. We need to know exactly which jobs will be impacted and how businesses are expected to adjust,” the lawmaker said.

He referenced a National Audit Office report showing that expats account for 90 per cent of private-sector workers.

Alarms

“That should set off alarms,” he added.

Suroor dismissed claims that the plan was too vague, insisting that Bahrainis could fill dozens of common roles, including administrative, accounting, and banking jobs.

He also criticised the Flexi Work Permit system, calling it “a free pass for businesses to sideline Bahrainis and flood the market with foreign labour.”