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A total of 116 undocumented expatriates were deported following the latest round of labour inspection campaigns across the country.
According to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), 774 inspection visits as well as 10 joint campaigns between April 27 to May 3 also resulted in the identification of 18 irregular workers.
The government entities that participated in the campaigns included the Interior Ministry, represented by the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), and the respective governorate’s police directorate.
Similar to previous joint campaigns, a majority of the inspections centred on the Capital Governorate with seven, followed by the Northern Governorate (two) and Southern Governorate (one).
No inspections were conducted in the Muharraq Governorate during the above mentioned period.
The inspection visits and joint campaigns also resulted in monitoring a number of residency violations and legal measures were taken against the individuals, said an LMRA statement yesterday.
Since January last year, a total of 73,168 inspections and 1,054 joint campaigns have been carried out, resulting in the identification of 3,100 violations and the deportation of 8,597 irregular workers.
The LMRA affirmed that it would continue to intensify the inspection campaigns across Bahrain to address any practices that negatively affect the stability and competitiveness of the labour market or harm economic and social security.
People are being urged to report illegal labour practices and violations via its website, www.lmra.gov.bh, by calling 17506055 or via the government’s suggestions and complaints system, Tawasul.
According to official estimates, there are about 30,000 undocumented expats in the country, but that number has been reduced due to the ongoing LMRA campaigns or workers rectifying their status.
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.
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