MORE than 200 illegal Filipinos have so far applied for work permits under a new system that allows them to work as freelancers.
This came after the Philippines government launched a financial assistance programme aimed at regularising 1,300 Filipinos in Bahrain who are eligible to apply for the scheme.
Under the initiative spearheaded by the Philippine Embassy, it will pay BD449 application fee for a flexible work permit, BD5 registration fee and the recurring monthly fee of BD30 for the first two months.
The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) office in Sitra has issued blue cards for 81 Filipino workers allowing them to sponsor themselves and work for multiple employers.
“Over 200 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have applied for the flexible visa, 81 of whom have been issued their blue cards,” said an embassy statement.
The flexi permit was launched in July last year to allow illegal expatriates with expired or terminated work permits to sponsor themselves.
It is valid for two years, after which it must be renewed, and comes with a residence permit.
Holders can access free healthcare services and travel in and out of the country without hindrance.
However, domestic workers and those with travel bans or court cases are not eligible.
When the scheme was launched authorities said they intended to issue 48,000 permits until 2019, generating as much as BD56 million that would otherwise have gone into the illegal visa black market – in which expats shell out as much as BD1,500 to buy residence permits.
People can check if they are eligible for the flexible permits by sending their CPR numbers via text to 33150150 or visiting the website lmra.bh.
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