MANPOWER agencies in Bahrain have been warned to properly change the status of domestic workers returned after the probation period – and not to exploit them by hiring them out on hourly, daily or monthly basis.
The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) said yesterday that it was working to preserve the rights of citizens and prevent the exploitation of domestic workers before proper work permits are issued.
“Subjecting the worker to a period of experience before the work permit is issued is an explicit violation of the 2006 Labour Market Regulatory Law; this also negatively impacts the employer under whose name the domestic worker is registered,” said a statement.
“In reference to a circular issued to manpower agencies, we would like to make it clear that we have received complaints from a number of citizens about domestic workers returned to employment offices.
“Some offices have delayed completing the procedures for transferring domestic workers to the new employer, causing harm to the former employer who cannot obtain a new work permit to employ another domestic worker.”
The LMRA pointed out that there have been cases of domestic workers fleeing their employer for various reasons and then being returned to manpower agencies without facing legal action.
“We have received reports that some offices exploited the returned domestic workers by hiring them out on hourly, daily or monthly basis.”
The labour watchdog said that with regard to the tripartite contract for domestic employment, the grace period is no less than three months.
In the period, the employment agency will compensate the employer if the worker is returned or flees in violation of the permit conditions.
The tripartite contract is mandatory to regulate the relationship between the three parties – employer-head of the family, employment office, worker or domestic worker.
The contract also prevents any form of abuse.
The LMRA also underlined the importance of only dealing with domestic employment offices licensed by it, a list of which is update weekly on www.lmra.bh
The GDN reported in March that 89,477 domestic workers, mainly housemaids, were officially registered in Bahrain until February.
These workers hailed from several countries including the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Eritrea, Ghana and the Seychelles.
Last year, the LMRA was notified about 903 workers quitting their jobs while 85 maids ran away from their employers.
This compared with 911 leaving work and 234 runaways in 2020.
Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel Humaidan, who is also LMRA chairman, said at the time that 97 manpower agencies were officially licensed in Bahrain until February.
“We have closed down some violating agencies, while the licences of four were terminated.
“In co-operation with the Interior Ministry, we found 13 agencies operating without licences and legal action was initiated against them.”
The minister also ruled out plans to introduce fixed wages for the service.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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