BAHRAIN’S labour watchdog has been flooded with calls, text messages and received hundreds of hits on its website from expats eager to sign up for a new flexi work permit scheme.
The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) this week announced the start of nationwide campaign to promote the scheme, which allows expatriates working in the country illegally to sponsor themselves.
A total of 2,000 new permits will be issued every month from July 23 as part of an initiative to stamp out the so-called “free visa” market, in which people buy visas and then work illegally elsewhere. “We have received an overwhelming response in the past two days with over 200 hits on our website (lmra.bh) at any given point of time,” said LMRA chief executive officer Ausamah Al Absi.
“These are people checking online through the LMRA website if they are eligible for the flexi permit scheme.”
The scheme allows foreigners the opportunity to work full or part-time with multiple employers.
“Our teams have received over 500 text messages in the past two days,” added Mr Al Absi.
“I would request people to only send their CPR numbers via a text message to 33150150 to check if they are eligible for the scheme.
“We have received text messages where people are asking us questions.”
Mr Al Absi said the system was designed so that once a person submits their CPR number via a text message from his mobile phone, they get a message stating their eligibility.
“If a person is eligible then our call centre will contact them and arrange the appointment,” he said.
“I would request people to use their own mobile phones to send text messages, because that is the number we will contact them on later.”
Expats who are approved will be responsible for their own fees including the BD200 work visa fee, BD144 healthcare fee, a BD30 monthly fee, and a one-time deposit of BD90 to ensure travel tickets can be refunded in case they wish to return home.
Illegal foreign workers aged below 60 with expired or terminated work permits and even those who had their work permits cancelled by companies are eligible to apply.
In addition to the existing fees, there is a one-time BD15 discounted fee to be paid by a person whose residency has expired.
“The permit will only be issued from our Sitra Industrial Area branch,” said Mr Al Absi.
Those who intend to work in restaurants, hotels and salons need to also submit a medical test results along with their application.
The LMRA will issue a blue card for every worker accepted into the scheme bearing their photograph, which will be renewed every six months free of charge.
Workers will be able to leave and return to the country during the two-year permit duration.
Awareness
However, Mr Al Absi warned action would be taken against those who misuse the scheme – such as street vendors.
“We have partnered with embassies and civil societies to promote awareness about the flexi permit scheme,” he added.
The scheme was endorsed by the Cabinet last year and 48,000 permits are expected to be issued over the next two years. For more information, contact the LMRA’s flexible work permit call centre on 17103103.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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