EXPATRIATE employees could be forced to undergo medical check-ups whenever their contracts are up for renewal.
The new legislation is set to be debated by newly-elected MPs later this year, despite the government calling for a rethink on its implementation procedures.
The amendment to Article 24 of the 2006 Labour Market Regulatory Law was originally presented by five Shura Council members in October last year, before it was withdrawn for further study.
The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) had then informed the Shura services committee that Article 24 already stipulated mandatory medical check-ups for the issuance of a new work permit.
“Article 24 also states that the LMRA has the authority to introduce further organisational rules for issuance of new work permits,” said the LMRA in writing. “The outcome sought by the legislators is being fulfilled through existing procedures.”
The Health Ministry, in August last year, introduced new rules making it mandatory for employees at all facilities that involve public interaction to undergo periodic health check-ups. The biennial requirement is aimed at limiting the spread of infectious diseases and ensuring the safety of citizens, residents and workers at these facilities, the ministry said.
The rule applies to those working in salons, barber shops, massage parlours, hotels and resorts as well as those in the fields of sales, circulation, manufacture and packing of food in public and private entertainment venues, stores, bakeries and other places of food processing, preparation and sale.
Meanwhile, Parliament services committee chairman Ahmed Al Ansari told the GDN that mandatory health check-ups before visa renewals will ensure Bahrain is free from viral and contagious diseases that a worker may bring after a holiday or that he may acquire in Bahrain.
“The government is already obliging biannual tests for Bahrainis and expats at public interaction facilities to prevent communicable diseases,” he said.
“Conducting tests on arrival would ensure more prevention from infectious diseases as workers often spend months in their home countries with their family members and children, who could also be returning back to Bahrain.
“Health check ups for workers and their family members should be a precondition for renewal of contracts by the LMRA.”
Meanwhile, MPs will also discuss another proposal to have tests conducted for housemaids and other domestic workers at Bahrain International Airport.
The idea is aimed at protecting families from illnesses that housemaids, drivers, gardeners and private nurses may spread.
“People have every right to receive proper protection from any disease that may spread into their homes, and ensure everyone is in good health and away from any harm,” said Mr Al Ansari.
“Sometimes tests conducted in the country of origin show no illnesses in the domestic servants while checks conducted within two weeks of their arrival here show serious infection.”
MPs in February this year unanimously approved government-drafted amendments, based on a parliamentary proposal, to the 2006 Labour Market Regulatory Law that would see expat workers forced to get their certifications validated by local authorities before being issued work permits.
The Bahrain Chamber said companies had the right to choose employees, whether their certificate matched the job profile or not.
mohammed@gdnmedia.com
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