MLSD Minister: The decision aims to develop the labor market and support its stability
25-08-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development and Chairman of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority’s Board, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, praised the Cabinet—chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister—for approving a package of initiatives to refine the policy governing flexible work permits for foreign employers. These initiatives form part of Bahrain’s ongoing labour‑market reviews and are designed to secure job opportunities for citizens, make Bahrainis the first choice in recruitment and balance the rights of workers and employers. In this context Humaidan commended the keenness of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, to develop labour‑market regulations, as well as the personal and continuous follow‑up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, in advancing labour‑market policies that underpin the comprehensive development Bahrain enjoys in this prosperous era. Humaidan indicated that the initiatives were issued pursuant to directives from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, instructing the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the Labour Market Regulatory Authority to examine the views and proposals put forward by members of the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives, along with recommendations studied by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These decisions confirm the spirit of cooperation and partnership among all concerned parties in tackling labour‑market matters. It was therefore agreed to refine and activate the flexible‑work‑permit policy in a way that safeguards the interests of all stakeholders, protects employers’ activities and stimulates commercial and economic growth. To ensure proper implementation, Humaidan noted that inspection campaigns will be intensified to verify that foreign flexible‑permit holders are not performing activities for which a permit is required. Runaway workers will be barred from applying for flexible permits, and holders will be prohibited from combining a flexible permit with a commercial registration; those currently doing so must regularise their status within six months of the permit date. Professional standards will be introduced for certain specialised jobs. Additional measures include halting promotional text messages that encourage enrolment in the flexible‑work system and stopping the registration of industrial motor vehicles used in construction and of transport buses under flexible‑permit holders. Humaidan stated that refining the flexible‑work‑permit system is timely because it tackles irregular employment and corrects labour‑market distortions. A Cabinet‑mandated committee—comprising all relevant bodies—will now draw up professional standards and requirements for twenty specified occupations and any others it deems necessary. The committee will reinforce the system’s benefits while remedying shortcomings, improper practices and violations, so that every stakeholder’s interests are protected and labour‑market growth remains sustainable. He expressed confidence that the group will propose additional controls to ensure the permit’s objectives of competitiveness and development are fully met for the benefit of citizens. The Minister added that Resolution 108 of 2017, which regularises the status of applicants for flexible‑worker permits, has already brought many irregular workers into legal employment and reduced the overall number of illegal workers—an issue Bahrain is determined to curb because of its destabilising impact on the labour market. He welcomed the partnership and consultation with the legislative authority and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, whose reviews and evaluations have been vital in fine‑tuning the permit scheme, amplifying its positives and resolving the negatives identified through experience.