Speaking at the meeting Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber Sameer Nass, highlighted the authority's significant role in regulating the labor market and praised its improved services and flexibility in addressing the challenges of the commercial sector. He appreciated the authority's responsiveness to traders' feedback, asserting that this fosters a better economic environment and stimulates growth.
For his part, LMRA’s CEO, Nebras Taleb, confirmed ongoing collaboration with the chamber to develop labor market mechanisms. He announced a new six-month work permit option and improvements to the "Al Tajer" app to enhance communication between the authority and employers.
Taleb reported that the authority conducts nearly 20,000 inspection visits annually, achieving a compliance rate of 98% among registrants, which reflects the commercial sector's commitment to regulations. He noted that the authority is streamlining work permit processes to just three days, which encourages entrepreneurship.
New amendments to labor transfer procedures will require job offers from receiving companies and grant workers a grace period to seek new employment. Taleb emphasized the importance of repatriating workers after employment ends to maintain market stability.
Additionally, the authority launched an electronic service to report irregular labor, aiming to eliminate unfair competition and enhance community awareness. A service for creating bank accounts for workers arriving in Bahrain was also introduced to ensure wage payment transparency.
To improve employers’ experiences, the authority is reviewing over 3,000 professions to provide clear job descriptions, facilitating the selection process. Regular meetings with the chamber will continue to enhance labor market regulation.
The meeting included input from businesspeople who suggested accelerating procedural developments and reconsidering Bahrainization ratios. They also discussed the impact of irregular labor on small and medium enterprises, calling for a review of licensing fees and transfer procedures. Overall, participants agreed on the importance of sustained communication to enhance labor market stability and support the national economy, reinforcing Bahrain's position in the region.
AE