A total of 1,317 inspection campaigns and visits were conducted by labour inspectors across Bahrain last week as a crackdown on undocumented expatriate workers and illegal residents continues.
Nine irregular workers were identified during the raids between August 24 and 30 and 92 expatriates of different nationalities were deported from the kingdom.
In a weekly statement yesterday, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) said 1,303 visits were carried out to inspect shops and establishments across the kingdom, in addition to 14 joint campaigns, that included five in the Capital Governorate, four in Northern, three in Southern and two in the Muharraq Governorate.
The inspections also resulted in monitoring a number of violations related to the provisions of laws, especially the LMRA and the residency laws in Bahrain.
Legal measures have been taken regarding the violations, the statement added.
The joint campaigns were carried out in collaboration with the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), each governorate’s respective police directorates, General Directorate of Traffic, Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry and Social Insurance Organisation.
Since January last year, a total of 92,059 inspection visits and 1,267 joint campaigns have been conducted, resulting in 3,335 detentions and the deportation of 10,596 irregular workers.
Co-ordination
The labour watchdog vowed to continue co-ordinating with government agencies to intensify inspections in all the governorates and address any violations or 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 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 Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs call centre at 17077077 or email info@npra.gov.bh.
Meanwhile, 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 leaving the kingdom.
In recent years, Bahrain has enforced tough 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 boost job opportunities for Bahrainis and reduce unemployment by supporting citizens as the first choice for employers.
Under the 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 number of expat work permits issued reached 631,763 by the end of the second quarter of last year representing an increase of 3.8 per cent annually compared to 608,411 permits in the second quarter of 2023.
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