A proposal to give employers a 30-day grace period after failing to renew their expatriate workers’ permits on time was yesterday postponed for two weeks following a government request.
Parliament was set to vote on amendments to the 2006 Labour Market Regulatory Law during its weekly session.
If approved, employers will have to pay an administrative fine of BD5 every day until the visas are renewed within the 30 days. However, the rule wouldn’t apply to housemaids or those recruited for domestic work.
The Cabinet had called for a rethink saying that in September, His Majesty King Hamad had issued a decree amending the same law.
Under it, failure to renew permits upon expiry would result in a fine of BD100 for the first 10 days, BD200 for between 10 and 20 days, and BD300 for between 20 and 30 days.
After the 30-day deadline, a BD1,000 fine would be imposed. Previously, the fine was an automatic BD1,000 from day one following the expiry of the work permit.
The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) said it had issued 503,560 permits in 2021, 568,262 in 2022, and 460,538 until October 2023.
The Labour Ministry said employers of housemaids and those in other domestic jobs are already given a 30-day grace period.
Meanwhile, MPs also postponed for two weeks amendments to the 1976 Military Pension Law to increase the one-off marriage grants for widows and orphans, from BD400 to BD1,000.
The Cabinet, the Military Pension Fund and the Supreme Council for Women said the additional expenses incurred could lead to fewer people benefiting from the grant.
Rethink
The Bahrain Women’s Union was the only body backing the move.
MPs also unanimously approved amendments to the 2019 Mediation in Disputes Law, presented by Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, which aims to relieve mediators from paying firm registration and renewal fees. He said it would allow more individuals and firms to act in the process.
It will be drafted into a proper legislation within six months by the government.
A rethink has been urged by the government on a move to amend the 2014 Traffic Law to prohibit expatriates in Bahrain from obtaining driving licences unless their jobs required it.
The government also pointed out that the legislation was already implemented through by-laws associated with the 2014 Traffic Law, stating rules and regulations for those applying for driving licences.
MPs yesterday took a unanimous provisional vote to refer the legislation to the foreign affairs, defence and national security committee for review with concerned authorities.
The government has also asked for a rethink on another proposed amendment to the same law presented by Dr Al Nuaimi to increase the duration of paying the fine for any contravention from the current seven days to 30 days.
MPs also took a unanimous vote to refer it to the same committee for review.
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