MPs demand tighter checks for recruitment of expat accountants and auditors
MPs are pushing for tighter scrutiny of expatriate accountants and auditors before work visas are issued, arguing that unqualified hires are slipping through due to weak checks.
Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), however, maintains that its current system already ensures professional standards are met.
Jaleela Alawi, one of the MPs backing the proposal, said the absence of proper records on foreign accountants and auditors had left a gap in oversight.
Rule
“No one knows how many expats are working in these roles because there’s no rule requiring their academic qualifications to match their jobs. That means plenty are working without the right background,” she said.
The proposal, also supported by Dr Hisham Al Ashiri, Hassan BuKhumas, Mohsen Al Asbool, and Mohammed Al Olaiwi, calls for the LMRA to check academic records and work experience before clearing permits.
Backers say this would stop unqualified workers from stepping into skilled jobs, especially in fields that handle financial records and consumer trust.
They also argue that keeping proper records would help weed out those working outside the rules.
Process
The LMRA, however, says work permit requests already go through a process that applies to all jobs, not just accounting and auditing.
“Employers wanting permits for specialists must first get approval from the relevant licensing body, which checks academic records before issuing a licence. This is already the case for jobs that require licensing, like medicine and engineering,” the authority said.
Trade unions disagree. The General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions pointed to past cases where forged degrees were exposed in the media and courts.
Complaints
“We’ve had complaints from foreign workers, especially in healthcare, saying bosses are dragging their feet on qualification checks. Some have even been told to start work before getting their licence,” the Federation told Parliament in a statement.
The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) believes the LMRA is not the right body to carry out these checks.
It says qualification screening should be handled by industry-specific regulators.
Plan The chamber has backed a plan to link licensing authorities to a central system and introduce stricter rules on skills certification before businesses can register. The Services Committee, after reviewing the proposal, has recommended its approval, saying it serves the public good.
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