By SOMAN BABY

THE data of only 26 per cent of expats in Bahrain has been cleansed at the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), according to officials.

Out of 485,934 expats available on the LMRA data, only 125,943 have been cleared so far, said the authority’s e-services and public relations manager Waheed Al Balushi.

The remaining firms should update the data of their employees with LMRA before the end of this month, he said.

“From July 1, LMRA will charge companies according to the data available with it,” said Mr Al Balushi.

“We appeal to all companies to present photocopies of their employees’ passport and CPR card at the LMRA at the earliest.”

Many companies, which have registered with LMRA, have not yet presented these documents of their employees, he said.

“It is important for us to have these documents in order to cleanse the data available with us,” said Mr Al Balushi.

According to the LMRA records, there are 56,211 establishments in Bahrain with commercial registration (CR).

There are also 4,696 non-commercial and non-governmental organisations, and 74 government units.

“Only 38,159 commercial establishments have registered with LMRA so far,” said Mr Al Balushi.

“Those who have not registered, will not be able to avail of any government services from July 1.”

Companies cleansing the data will be informed about the Bahrainisation percentage required, said Mr Al Balushi.

“The LMRA board has approved the Bahrainisation percentage required for the private sector in Bahrain, based on the nature of their activities,” he added.

The LMRA will start issuing work visas for expatriates in the private sector from July 1.

This is to coincide with the new labour fees coming into force on that date, said Mr Al Balushi.