LMRA ‘solved over 1,100 passport retention cases this year’

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has solved over 1,100 passport retention cases this year, said its Chief Executive Officer Ausamah Al Absi yesterday. This came as he spoke at the ‘Monthly Talk’ organised by the Bahrain India Society at Capital Club yesterday. He said the companies are committing a big crime by retaining the passports of employees and it is against the labour laws of the Kingdom.

When asked about the possibility of providing a data registry on the availability of different flexi permit workers, the LMRA CEO said as a regulator it would be a strict deviation from its duties by performing the role of a placement agency. “Companies are welcome to set a data registry on the availability of these workers. Our job is to regulate the labour market and not ensure the credentials of workers.”

The official pointed out that all foreign companies starting branches in the Kingdom should abide by the labour laws of the land when it comes to recruiting Bahraini citizens. “It’s a very simple logic. If someone is investing in the UK or France, he/she will have to abide by the laws drafted by their governments and same is the case here. “All private companies, be it Bahraini or foreign will have to adhere to the labour laws implemented in the Kingdom.”

He also urged the companies to prioritise hiring of Bahrainis if there are appropriate vacancies. A few months ago MPs made a proposal, according to which fines up to BD20,000 could be imposed on companies that don’t prioritise the hiring of Bahrainis. The proposal has been made by MP Ghazi Al Rahma alongside four other fellow lawmakers including Mohammed Al Abbasi, Ali Ishaqi, Ahmed Al Amer and Yousef Al Thawadi.

They aim to amend the labour law to add an article that states that all employer needs to give Bahrainis priority in the event of a job opening and failing to do so would result in fines. The MPs stated that a fine of a minimum of BD5,000 and a maximum of BD20,000 must be imposed on violating companies. They added that renewal of work permits of violating companies should also come under scrutiny.