A TOTAL of 1,425 inspection visits and joint campaigns have been carried out in the latest crackdown on undocumented expatriate workers in Bahrain.
Following the raids between July 27 and August 2, 14 irregular workers were found violating residency laws while 106 illegal expats were deported.
In a weekly statement yesterday, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) said that 1,411 inspection visits were carried out on various shops in all the governorates, in addition to 14 joint inspection campaigns, that included three campaigns in the Muharraq Governorate, six in the Northern Governorate and five in the Southern Governorate.
The joint campaigns were carried out in collaboration with the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), each governorate’s respective police directorate and the Social Insurance Organisation.
Since January last year, a total of 86,865 inspection visits and 1,215 joint campaigns have been conducted, resulting in 3,286 detentions and the deportation of 10,188 irregular workers.
Details of the latest inspection visits and joint campaigns
Appropriate legal action has been taken in response to these violations.
The LMRA reiterated its commitment to co-ordinating with other government agencies to intensify inspections across all governorates.
The aim, it said, was to safeguard the stability and competitiveness of Bahrain’s labour market and to protect the country’s economic and social security.
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 addition, citizens and residents can report residency or labour law violations by contacting the NPRA call centre at 17077077 or email at info@npra.gov.bh.
Furthermore, expatriates facing travel-related issues can visit the Travel Facilitation Office at the NPRA to complete the necessary procedures and ensure all requirements are met before departing the kingdom.
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.