‘Flexible work permits boost Bahrain’s economy’

Manama : The newflexible work permits will be a boost to the Kingdom’s economy as it will create a “much-needed” flexibility in the local labour market, Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) CEO Ausamah Al Absi stated during a press conference yesterday.

“The temporary employment will benefit the employees and employers within the framework of the Kingdom’s laws and regulations,” Al Absi said.

“This is an unprecedented procedure in the Middle East region and allows Bahrain to cope with the rapidly growing changes and challenges in the labour market,” the LMRA CEO added.

Self sponsorship

During the conference, Al Absi explained that workers will bear their own sponsorship, employment, healthcare and insurance fees. At the same time, they will be able to work for multiple employers simultaneously, be it individuals or organisations. “In a way, they’ll become their own bosses,” he said.

Al Absi mentioned that applicants would bear their own issuance fees of BD200, healthcare fees of BD144 and a monthly social insurance fee of BD30. The expenses would also include a deposit of the price of a flight ticket to the worker’s homeland.

Meanwhile, it was stressed in the conference that the permits will not include jobs that require special licensing such as medicine or security.

2,000 permits monthly

The official also announced that the authority’s initial plan is to accept 2,000 employees every month and that a specialised centre to provide the new services would be allocated and announced later.

“We’re actually creating a new category of customers, as the authority usually deals with employers, Bahrainis or foreigners. After the permits come into effect, we’re excepting to receive thousands of applications from foreign workers, who’ve been illegally working in the Kingdom in the period before September 20 this year. The cost of managing more individuals instead of dealing with fewer employers in the past would be higher,” he added.

Awareness campaign

Al Absi also announced that the authority would conduct a comprehensive awareness campaign on the new permits during the next few months, in coordination with embassies, social clubs and other parties. 

He highlighted that the LMRA is currently communicating with foreign workers in 14 languages and it targets reaching more communities in Bahrain. 

The CEO called upon those who’re interested in knowing more about the new system to visit the authority’s website www.lmra.bh or contact its call centre on 17506055.