New lifeline for expat workers
Manama : As a ray of hope for Bahrain’s expatriate community, around 48,000 illegal foreign workers will be granted a second chance to regularise their situations and work legally in the Kingdom within the next two years.
To be eligible, one must apply for the newly-introduced flexible work permit that would be issued by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) by the second quarter of 2017.
“Only the applications of employees, who have been working illegally (with cancelled or expired permits) in the Kingdom until September 20, 2016, would be accepted,” confirmed LMRA CEO Ausamah Al Absi during a press conference held yesterday at the authority’s headquarters in Sanabis.
He also verified that the authority has a record of all the employees, who are eligible for the new permits, adding that their information would be posted online to facilitate their employment.
The two-year flexible work permits were initially announced following the weekly Cabinet meeting on September 19. It was endorsed by the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, in the presence of Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
It was stated back then that “the new procedure would serve as a legal alternative to employ irregular workers.” However, it was also underlined that the new permits will not include runaway workers, domestic workers or regular employees, who are working under valid contracts with their employers.
Two types of permits
Al Absi announced that there will be two types of flexible work permits, which will include flexible workers and flexible hospitality workers.
He told DT News that people working in the hospitality sector will undergo certain medical check-ups and are regulated by particular rules.
“These include jobs in salons, hospitals, clinics, hotels, beauty centres, restaurants and more. Employees working in these fields are required to pass certain examinations to ensure their competence and fitness for the jobs,” Al Absi stated.
Violators to be deported
Al Absi reiterated that the new flexible work permits’ holders are instructed to adhere to the Kingdom’s laws and regulations.
He reaffirmed that “no second chances would be given to violators, who will face immediate deportation.”
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