Humaidan Issues a Decision to Transfer Some Functions of the LMRA to the Labour Registration Centers

01-11-2022

Acting in accordance with the edict of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, directed to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority to revoke the flexible work permit and register all expatriate workers in partnership with the private sector. His Excellency Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) issued Decision No. (1) of 2022 on the assignment of some of the functions of the LMRA to the Labour Registration Centers. Humaidan pointed out that the decision to assign some tasks to the registration centers concerning workers who wish to apply for work permits comes within the measures taken by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority to establish partnership with the private sector with emphasis on, intensifying inspection campaigns, tightening the handling of violators from employers and workers, linking professional work licenses to standards and qualifications, as well as providing the appropriate environment for workers in a way that protects their rights and increases the effectiveness of their role in economic development. The Minister pointed out that the Authority has begun coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce by adding an activity in the"Sijilat" System under the name of "Employment Registration Centre", with the aim of meeting the needs of the labour market and linking professional work licenses with standards and qualifications. Humaidan accentuated the importance of the measures implemented in accordance with the decision of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to embark on a new phase of public-private partnership to address labour market conditions, through the registration of all expatriate workers and finding mechanisms to address irregular labour, which reflects on the stability of the labour market. The minister indicated that the public and private sectors are working to generate common goals in the interest of achieving sustainable economic development and maintaining a steady work environment within a system that considers justice, competitiveness and flexibility and responds to the requirements of the market and supports its growth. The most important conditions entrusted to employment registration centres under this decision include the enrollment with the Commercial Register, create a suitable place to receive expatriate workers who desire to obtain work permits endorsed by the Authority and provide a certificate of good conduct, which proves the applicant has not previously been sentenced to a felony or misdemeanour, due to breach of ethics and malpractice, unless he/she has been rehabilitated. The employment registration centres are also obliged to receive work permit applications submitted by workers, which they will prepare and refer them to the Authority for examination and assessment. These centres should ensure the availability of necessary qualifications or professional standards certification by expatriate workers who desire to obtain work permits, in order to achieve security and safety for their customers socially and economically. In all respects, the centres should keep up with the electronic systems determined by the Authority by recording the data of expatriate workers digitally, when registering them. and updating them continuously, provided that they include the worker's personal information, address, contact numbers and authorised activities. Amongst the roles tackled by the employment registration centres, the attention given to achieve the desirable percentage of Bahrainisation in accordance with the legislation and regulations and disallow any payoffs from expatriate workers in the form of money or benefits or privileges in return for the rendered services stipulated in the decision. In addition to enabling the Authority’s inspectors and staff to view all the data held by the centres and report any violations acted by the registered workers. Humaidan pointed out that the expatriate workers inside Bahrain whose permits have expired, or have been revoked, or those with flexible work permits are allowed to register. He stressed that the inadmissibility of registration will be applied to those with criminal precedence, workers fleeing their jobs in violation of the conditions of the permit “run aways”, or holders of a visit visa and those who hold commercial registration in the Kingdom. Moreover, it is required to pay the fees of the centers approved by the Authority before the registration process, in order to ensure the cost of the return of the expatriate worker to his/her country. His Excellency Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, reiterated on Bahrain's keenness to review and develop its legislations and procedures that help promote a decent work environment according to solid elements that respond to the changing needs of the labour market. Just as well, His Excellency highlighted the importance for protecting the rights of all work parties without discrimination, as well as preserving the Kingdom's international reputation as one of the best destinations for work opportunities in terms of the ability to attract investment, facilitate procedures for employers and safeguarding the rights of all business parties. In the end, the minister praised the key role played by the private sector and its operators for achieving stability and sustainable development in the labour market.