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More than 80 expatriates were deported last week as part of a national campaign aimed at stamping out labour violations.
According to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), 1,117 inspection visits were held across the four governorates from July 13 to 19 in addition to 15 joint campaigns, resulting in the identification of 12 irregular workers and the deportation of 89 expats.
The latest round of joint inspections were held in co-operation with the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs, the respective governorate’s Police Directorate, Coastguard, the Industry and Commerce Ministry, Health Ministry, Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry, and the Social Insurance Organisation.
Most of them were held in Muharraq Governorate with six joint inspections, followed by the Northern and Southern Governorates with four each and the Capital Governorate with one.
Since January last year, a total of 84,058 inspection visits and 1,187 joint campaigns have been conducted, resulting in the identification of 3,257 violations and the deportation of 9,962 irregular workers.
People are being urged to report illegal labour practices and violations via the website www.lmra.gov.bh, by calling 17506055 or via the government’s suggestions and complaints system Tawasul.
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.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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