EXPAT work permit fees for jobs in the administrative, supervisory and vocational fields could be doubled, as MPs unanimously approved a proposal in this regard.
They also backed a proposal to suspend changing tourist visas into work visas.
During Parliament’s weekly session yesterday, MP Khalid Bu Onk referred to a report in the GDN on the issue.
MP Mohammed Al Olaiwi pointed out that many used the F1 race in Bahrain as an excuse to enter as tourists and months later surfaced as employees in the private sector.
Parliament first deputy speaker Abdulnabi Salman demanded that all of those who got their visit visas converted into work visas should be deported immediately, describing them as “criminals” for cheating the system.
The parliamentarians also backed a call for tough action against runaway housemaids, those sheltering them or providing them with jobs.
“When there are around 5,000 runaway housemaids and only 20 per cent have been caught, it shows there is a serious issue,” said Mr Bu Onk.
MPs approved another proposal to have the ministries of Labour and Social Development launch entrepreneurship programmes for the 17,000 families below the BD336 basic line of decent living.
Another proposal that received the MPs’ thumbs-up concerned introducing the daily three-hour flexible working hours in the private sector.
All will now be reviewed by the Cabinet.
&uuid=(email))