Human rights society calls for deferral of monthly Flexi payments

TDT | Manama

A leading human rights organisation in Bahrain has called on the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) to urgently consider postponing the monthly payments of Flexi Work Permit holders, in light of the current situation affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Individuals with Flexi Work Permits are required to pay BD30 per month for this facility, which allows them to live freely in the Kingdom and work in any non-specialised occupation without a sponsor.

Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) secretary-general Faisal Fulad said that with the coronavirus bringing havoc to all sectors of the economy locally, regionally and globally, Flexi Work Permit holders are amongst the most affected.

“They are people who are earning by hourly or daily wage, contractual, or those terminated because of no business during the outbreak,” explained Fulad. “Sad to note that most of them are expatriates earning a low income and holders of Flexi visa.

“It is their cry that the government help and provide them with a flexible payment scheme in this time of crisis, especially with regard to their monthly fees to postpone until the economy back to normal. “It is with our ardent and humble request to ease the hardship and provide compassionate assistance to these deprived members of the community.”