Four airlines agree to help illegal workers leave Bahrain

Four airlines have agreed to provide low priced tickets to expatriates taking advantage of the ongoing Easy Exit scheme. The airlines include the Kingdom’s national carrier Gulf Air, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Air India Express and Jet Airways which will all offer discounted prices.

Speaking at a meeting at the LMRA headquarters yesterday, LMRA’s CEO Ali Radhi and Indian Ambassador Dr. George Joseph explained that Biman Airways, Bangladesh’s national carrier was the first airline to offer discounted fares for those taking advantage of the Easy Exit scheme.

As Bahrain Tribune reported earlier, the airline matched the airfares of low cost carriers flying to Bangladesh while guaranteeing that no extra charges will be levied for changes in travel dates.

Following this, a Pakistani Embassy official also informed the Tribune that they were in negotiations with PIA to provide a similar offer to their nationals under the Easy Exit scheme.

“I just concluded a meeting with PIA representatives and they too have said that special fares will be made available to those availing of the Easy Exit. Jet Airways has also said it will do so but I am waiting to officially hear from them first,” Radhi stated, adding that Gulf Air will soon be releasing the information with fare details.

Dr. Joseph added that Air India Express, India’s low cost carrier, had affirmed that special rates will be given in June and August. “They are still considering the fares for July as it is the peak travel season.”

Some of the airlines will have a counter at the LMRA headquarters from where tickets can be booked by those applying for the scheme.

 LMRA officials to give advice at Embassy Open House

Representatives from the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) could soon start attending the Bangladeshi Embassy’s monthly Open House day to provide nationals with legal advice on employment issues.

“We had a discussion with the CEO of LMRA Ali Radhi and put forward this suggestion to him. He has in principle agreed to it,” the First Secretary at the Bangladesh Embassy Muhammed Ibrahim told the Bahrain Tribune.

The LMRA representatives will address legal questions from the community and also explain other labour-related matters, including why the authority requests expatriates to submit telephone numbers and contact details, fingerprinting and other topics. The embassy hopes to educate its nationals on the changes being implemented by the LMRA and how it can protect them over a period of time, Ibrahim stated.

The next Open House will be held this Friday at 7:30pm.