More than 500 expats were deported last month as part of a nationwide crackdown on illegal labour practices in the kingdom.
According to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), a total of 2,973 inspection visits were held in August, alongside 179 joint campaigns.
These inspections led to the detention of 77 irregular workers and the deportation of 543 illegal expats.
The overwhelming majority of the joint campaigns (93), were focused on the Capital Governorate, followed by the Southern Governorate (32), and Northern and Muharraq Governorates (27 each).
The inspections were held in co-ordination with the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs, the General Directorate of Crime Detection and Forensic Evidence, the police directorates of the respective governorates and the Civil Defence.
Also involved in the latest round of inspections were the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry, the Industry and Commerce Ministry, the Social Insurance Organisation, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, the Electricity and Water Authority, and the National Health Regulatory Authority.
In a statement, the LMRA said it would continue to co-ordinate with government agencies to intensify inspection campaigns across all governorates and tackle violations and practices that undermine the stability and competitiveness of the labour market or pose risks to the kingdom’s economic and social security.
Since January 2024, a total of 140,932 inspection visits and 2,643 joint campaigns have been conducted, resulting in 4,237 detentions and the deportation of 14,663 irregular workers.
Inspections were temporarily halted for about two months following the Iranian attacks which began on February 28.
Last year, the authority carried out 54,600 inspections, in addition to 795 joint campaigns, resulting in the identification of 860 irregular workers and the deportation of 4,776 expats.
The highest number of inspections (8,537) occurred in October, while the peak in deportations (470) was recorded in June.
Citizens and residents are being urged to support the government agencies’ efforts in addressing illegal labour practices by reporting violations on the LMRA website, www.lmra.gov.bh, by calling its call centre on 17506055, or via the government’s suggestions and complaints system Tawasul.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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