A total of 192 residency law violators were deported following 661 inspections and 13 joint campaigns conducted by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) from January 19 to 25.
In addition, 29 illegal workers were identified.
Eight of the joint campaigns were carried out in the Capital Governorate, followed by three in the Muharraq Governorate and one each in the Southern and Northern Governorates.
The joint campaigns were held in co-ordination with the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs, the respective governorate’s Police Directorate and the Social Insurance Organisation.
Since January 1, 2024 a total of 58,635 inspections have been conducted along with 903 joint campaigns, resulting in the identification of 2,816 violations and the deportation of 7,400 irregular workers.
“The authority affirms the continuation of joint co-ordination with government agencies to intensify inspection campaigns in all governorates, and to address any violations or practices that negatively affect the stability and competitiveness of the labour market or harm economic and social security of the kingdom,” said a LMRA statement yesterday.
The LMRA urged people to report labour violations through the electronic form on its website, www.lmra.gov.bh, by contacting the call centre at 17506055, or via the government’s suggestions and complaints system, Tawasul.
Bahrain has in recent years 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 has told MPs that since the introduction of tough new rules, the incidence of tourist or visit visas being converted into work permits had dropped 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
The GDN reported earlier this month that Parliament unanimously approved a proposed legislation that prohibits expatriates from turning tourist/visit visas into work permits.
The addition to the 1965 Foreigners (Migration and Residency) Law will now be reviewed, debated and voted on by the Shura Council.
It will be only effective if approved by the upper chamber of the National Assembly and ratified by His Majesty King Hamad.
The Cabinet has called for a rethink on the proposed amendment, asserting that new rules issued in February last year were aimed at cracking down on the misuse of tourist visas.
The Cabinet also pointed out that tough measures were already in place with local hosts signing declarations that the tourist visas would not be turned into work permits.
The Interior Ministry backed the government’s stance pointing out that the proposal was ‘unrealistic’ since it meant the employer would have to send a foreign worker back home and then fly him back, incurring a financial burden.
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