Bahrain considers 'flexible' work permits

Bahrain is considering introducing a “flexible” work permit allowing those with expired work-permits to work in the country for multiple employers for a period of two years.

According to Jameel Humaidan, chairman of Bahrain’s Labour and Market Regulatory Authority, the permit will only be applicable for individuals who have overstayed their visas in Bahrain due to exploitation from their employers.

“We are currently streamlining our systems before starting to accept applications for the flexible work permit. The new permit will help workers – who have faced abuse in the past – to work legally in Bahrain with a number of employers,” said Humaidan, speaking to Gulf News Daily.

Around 10,000 migrant workers are set to be integrated into the labour market through the new scheme which will not apply to licensed professions such as nursing and engineering.

The permit is set to cost around $80 (BD30) a month in addition to a one-time fee of $530 (BD200) and is aimed at providing a “legal alternative to employing illegal workers”, according to Bahraini authorities.

The proposed system would allow those applying to act as their own sponsors, a marked contrast from existing systems who are responsible for their visas and legal status.

This system has been widely criticised by rights groups who argue that it facilitates the exploitation of migrant workers, with employers reported to seize passports and abuse workers with little risk of legal repercussions.

According to Bahrain’s Labour and Market Regulatory Authority in 2015 there were approximately 32,000 illegal labourers in Bahrain, with an additional 60,000 illegal residents.