By SOMAN BABY

A DECISION on whether to allow expatriate housewives to work in more professions in Bahrain could be finalised in the next few months, a top government official has announced.

Housewives are only allowed to work as teachers, medical professionals and in technical and senior positions in the banking and financial sectors.

But a committee is still studying whether to allow them to work in other professions, said Interior Ministry assistant under-secretary for General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence (GDNPR) Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa Al Khalifa.

“A decision was taken some time back to allow expat housewives to work as teachers, nurses and other medical professionals,” he said.

“Considering the importance of the financial sector, we also allow qualified housewives to work in that sector as well

“The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), which took over the responsibility of issuing work visas to expatriates last year, is continuing with the same policy.”

An in-depth study has to be carried out before taking a final decision, said Shaikh Ahmed.

The GDN reported last September that some housewives ended up as illegal residents after cancelling their visas to apply for work permits with prospective employers.

According to the existing system, if an expatriate woman is in Bahrain on a housewife visa, she is not entitled to a work visa.

“There are, however, exceptions for those who are in some specific categories,” said Shaikh Ahmed.

LMRA chief executive Ali Radhi said a committee had been set up to review the policy.

“A committee, which consists of representatives from the LMRA, GDNPR and other government agencies, is expected to take a final decision within two to three months,” he said. Some housewives earlier said rising prices were forcing them to seek work – some illegally – in order to keep their families together.