Parliament is set to discuss proposed amendments to the 2006 Labour Market Regulatory Law that would reduce employers’ expenses relating to repatriation of expatriate workers.
According to the proposal presented by MP Jalal Kadhem Al Mahfoodh, an employer will only have to pay the cost of repatriation if the worker was employed with the company at the time of their death.
However, repatriation expenses for runaways or workers set to be deported will be covered by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).
Under the current law, the LMRA covers the cost of repatriation or transporting the body of a foreign worker, but has the right to claim all expenses from the employer, regardless of the reason for repatriation.
The proposed amendment modifies this by limiting the employer’s financial responsibility only to the cost of repatriating a deceased worker’s body.
Cases involving deportation, especially of workers who flee or violate the law, would no longer be billed to the employer.
According to Mr Al Mahfoodh, the legislation takes into account the financial capacity of business owners and seeks to protect the continuity of their commercial activities.
“It is unfair to burden an employer with the costs of deporting a runaway worker or one who violated the law,” said Mr Al Mahfoodh.
“This proposal provides balance, it acknowledges the employer’s duty in the event of a worker’s death, but protects them from being penalised for circumstances beyond their responsibility.
“The current law is too rigid. We are introducing fairness and protecting the commercial environment,” he added.
Services committee chairwoman MP Jalila Al Sayed said the committee fully supported the amendment.
“We found the proposal legally sound and economically reasonable,” said Ms Al Sayed.
“There will be no direct financial impact on the state budget and the change will ease burdens on business owners without undermining workers’ rights.”
She emphasised that the committee had received positive feedback from Bahrain Chamber.
“Employers should not be punished for situations they did not create,” she said.
“By ensuring the LMRA handles deportation costs in appropriate cases, we are helping to stabilise the private sector.”
The Bahrain Chamber also welcomed the amendment, stating that it would reduce operational costs for employers, especially in cases involving runaway workers.
However, labour unions expressed concerns.
The General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) opposed the proposal, claiming that it could open the door for employer abuse.
“There is a real risk that some employers could exploit this law by filing false absconding reports just to avoid responsibility,” the union said, urging safeguards to protect workers from arbitrary actions.
The Free Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (Al Hur) also rejected the proposal, citing concerns over the financial burden it may place on the LMRA, particularly given the high number of deportations reported in recent years.
However, the services committee concluded that the proposed change was well-founded and aligned with Bahrain’s broader goal of maintaining a stable and fair labour market.
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