Manama, Dec. 2 (BNA): The Labor Market Regulatory Authority affirmed its commitment to intensify inspection campaigns against violators of the provisions of labor market and residence laws in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in order to preserve fair and work-based competition. Stability of the labor market, and addressing any illegal practices that may affect the work environment. The authority stated that ensuring the protection of the rights of both the employee and the employer, and confronting illegal practices, including combating all forms of human trafficking and forced labor, will remain a continuous priority.
In this regard, the Labor Market Regulatory Authority announced that it carried out 4,767 inspection visits from October 7, 2022 to November 30, 2022, in addition to 57 joint inspection campaigns with the relevant government agencies. She added that these efforts led to the referral of 526 criminal violations and 62 forced labor cases to the Public Prosecution.
The total penalties collected amounted to approximately 205 thousand Bahraini dinars, and the number of deported workers reached 505 workers, including those against whom a deportation ruling was issued by the courts and the Public Prosecution.
The Labor Market Regulatory Authority called on employers and employees to familiarize themselves with the labor market and residence laws and abide by their implementation, in a way that ensures avoiding legal accountability, noting that most of the employers’ violations referred to the Public Prosecution are related to the use of a foreign worker without an issued work permit.
The labor market and residence laws also prohibit the employment of workers before issuing a work permit, paying the prescribed fees, and keeping work permits without the actual need for them.
The authority also indicated that the worker is obligated to work in the place of work referred to in the permit or in other branches of the employer that practice the same activity, stressing that failure to comply with laws and regulations exposes the violator to legal accountability.
It is worth noting that the Labor Market Regulatory Authority has begun to intensify inspection efforts through daily inspection visits and joint inspection campaigns with relevant government agencies in various governorates of the Kingdom.
The Labor Market Regulatory Authority called on all members of society to support the efforts of government agencies to address illegal practices in the labor market and informal employment in order to protect society as a whole, and to report any complaints related to labor market violations and irregular employment by filling out the electronic report form on the official website of the authority www.lmra.bh or call the Authority’s call center at 17506055.
M