By SOMAN BABY

A NEW levy on expatriate employees will pump BD3 million a month into Bahrain’s coffers.

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) will raise the money through the monthly levy of BD10 for each expatriate worker employed by the private sector.

Eighty per cent of the money will be used to support the training projects initiated by the Labour Fund.

The LMRA has already started sending invoices to companies for the monthly levy.

The bills are being sent out to more than 55,000 companies which have valid commercial registration, said LMRA e-services and public relations manager Waheed Al Balushi.

“The employer should pay within 30 days from the invoice issuance date,” he told the GDN.

“The bills are displayed online and are also being sent by post.

“All companies in Bahrain will receive their bills by post within the coming three days. The total bills will come to more than BD3m.”

Companies which have online access to their accounts, with the password provided by the LMRA, can see their bills online, said Mr Al Balushi .

“We request such companies to make their payment also online. It will help avoid rush at the LMRA headquarters in Sanabis,” he added.

Others can make the payment at the LMRA or at any branch of Ahli United Bank.

The invoices have been prepared according to the list of expats available with the LMRA, said Mr Al Balushi.

From next month onwards, invoices will be posted at the beginning of the month, he added.