People attempting to work in the country while on a visit visa will face legal action.
Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan yesterday issued the tough warning, asserting that the law forbids visit visa holders from taking up jobs in Bahrain.
He also added that there were 90,000 irregular workers in Bahrain.
Bahrain Chamber president Sameer Nass backed the minister, pointing out that irregular workers had reached a ‘scary number’, which he said was almost 25 per cent of the total expat workforce numbering 450,000.
The officials were speaking at a Press conference yesterday at the Isa Cultural Centre, where a new work permit card was announced for expatriates in the country. Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) chief executive Nouf Jamsheer was present.
Qualified employees with valid residency, who do not face any charges for legal violations, can apply for the card at worker registration centres which will soon be set up across the country. The move follows a government decision earlier this month to abolish flexi permit.
“We have around 90,000 irregular workers in Bahrain, unfortunately the numbers have increased and we also have around 24,000 flexi permit holders,” said Mr Humaidan.
“We want to open the door for irregular workers to voluntarily come and correct their legal status, in addition to intensifying inspection and deportation procedures as well as adherence to the law. So the executive plan will be ongoing and assessed continuously.
“The objective is to call upon all parties to comply with registration procedures (for the work permit) to help us monitor and amend the data. We hope we will succeed in collaboration with all parties to achieve this objective.”
Commenting on mounting concerns over irregular workers sparking a social unrest in the community, especially with some members of the African community accused of random attacks and thefts, the minister said the Interior Ministry and the LMRA “were doing their best.”
“Anyone entering Bahrain on a visit visa cannot work and if they do, they will be prosecuted,” said Mr Humaidan.
“There are a number of procedures which will prohibit these people from taking up work.
“It is too early now to discuss the regulatory details, but we want to achieve the objectives and we would like to encourage irregular workers to benefit from these procedures.”
Mr Nass said the new permit system would help Bahrain Chamber support young citizens by creating more job opportunities.
“Cancellation of flexi permit will be in the interest of Bahrain,” he said.
“It will help develop our labour market and most importantly, for us at the Bahrain Chamber, it will give space to open the door of opportunities for young Bahrainis to engage in services that are now limited to this (flexi permit holders) category of workers.
“By regulating these professions, we can have a roadmap that guarantees jobs for young Bahrainis.
“And we see nowadays that irregular workers have reached a scary number – they are 25 per cent of the total 450,000 workers.
“So I think this is a great step, which will correct our labour market to a large extent.”
raji@gdnmedia.bh
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