Bahrain's labour watchdog conducted 860 inspection visits and 11 joint campaigns over the past week as part of a nationwide effort to stamp out labour and residency violations.
A total of 16 violating and irregular workers were detained and 54 expatriates were deported from August 31 to September 6.
Most of the joint campaigns were conducted in the Capital Governorate (five) with two each in the Muharraq, Southern and Northern governorates, said a Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) statement yesterday.
These joint campaigns were carried out in co-operation with the Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs (NPRA), the respective governorate’s police directorate, and the Social Insurance Organisation.
The LMRA statement added that legal measures have been taken regarding the violations.
Since January last year, a total of 92,919 inspection visits and 1,278 joint campaigns have been conducted, resulting in 3,351 detentions and the deportation of 10,650 irregular workers.
The LMRA affirmed that it will continue to jointly co-ordinate with government agencies to intensify inspection campaigns in all governorates of the kingdom, 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 nation.
The labour watchdog renewed its call on all members of the society to support the efforts of government agencies in addressing illegal labour practices, by reporting violations via the electronic form on the authority’s website www.lmra.gov.bh or by calling the authority’s call centre on 17506055 or via the government’s suggestions and complaints system, Tawasul.
Citizens and residents can also report violations by contacting the NPRA 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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