500 Dinar Fines Proposed for Employers Holding Workers’ Documents

TDT | Manama

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Parliament is set to discuss a draft law introducing protections for workers, particularly domestic staff, while proposing fines of up to 500 dinars for employers who retain workers’ identification documents without their consent.

The law aims to modernise labour legislation, ensuring workers’ rights are respected and updating outdated terminology. Under the proposal, the terms ‘household servants’ and ‘household servant’ will be replaced with ‘domestic employees’ and ‘domestic employee’ in all existing laws and regulations.

The draft stipulates that employers must issue receipts for any documents, certificates, or tools deposited by workers. Employers are also required to return these items upon request. Failure to comply could result in fines ranging from 200 to 500 dinars, as outlined in the draft law’s Article 12.

The law further amends Articles 2 and 12 of the Labour Law in the Private Sector (Law No. 36 of 2012). It excludes government employees and those under civil or military service regulations from its provisions. Similarly, family members who are financially dependent on the employer—including spouses, parents, and children—are exempt from most of the law’s requirements.

For domestic workers, nannies, drivers, guards, cooks, and others in similar roles, the Cabinet is expected to issue new regulations based on the Minister’s recommendations. These regulations will govern employment relationships for these workers and ensure a framework tailored to their specific roles.

By introducing this draft law, the government aims to strike a balance between protecting workers’ rights and addressing the practicalities of employer-employee relationships in domestic settings. Parliament’s discussions are expected to focus on the law’s application and potential impact on workers and employers alike.