More than 80 expatriates who violated residency laws have been deported as Bahrain continues to crack down on undocumented workers.
The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) conducted 1,755 inspection visits from February 23 to March 1, which led to the detention of 22 irregular workers and deportation of 87 violators.
Fourteen joint campaigns were held, most of them focused in the Capital Governorate (seven), followed by the Southern Governorate (four), Muharraq Governorate (two) and Northern Governorate (one).
The campaigns were organised in co-ordination with the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs, the respective governorate’s Police Directorate, the Coastguard Headquarters, Industry and Commerce Ministry, the Supreme Council for Environment, and the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry represented by the Maritime Control Department and the Marine Fishing Ports Directorate.
Since the beginning of last year, 64,569 inspections and 975 joint campaigns have been carried out, resulting in the identification of 2,960 violations and the deportation of 7,940 irregular workers.
“The inspection campaigns and visits also resulted in monitoring a number of violations related to the provisions of a number of regulating laws,” said the labour watchdog in a statement yesterday.
The LMRA affirmed it will continue to intensify the inspection campaigns across Bahrain, to address any violations or practices that negatively affect the stability and competitiveness of the labour market or harm economic and social security.
In recent years, Bahrain has enforced tough new regulations to prevent the misuse of tourist visas and to ensure those seeking employment arrive with proper work permits issued by their employers.
These measures also aim to provide job opportunities for Bahrainis and reduce unemployment by supporting citizens as the first choice for employers.
LMRA chief executive Nibras Talib earlier told MPs that the introduction of the new rules has had a huge impact, with the incidence of tourist or visit visas being converted into work permits dropping by more than 87 per cent.
Under the new rules, a visit visa can no longer be converted into a work or dependent visa without a sponsor.
However, visit visas with a sponsor can be transferred to a work or dependent visa for a revised fee of BD250, instead of the previous BD60, only if it is for the same sponsor.
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