Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain 26 July 2010:

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has extended its full support and cooperation to the national campaign launched recently to address the issue of irregular employment of foreign nationals in the Kingdom known as “Easy Exit project”.

In a joint statement, Gulf Air and the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) announced that the two organizations will address the issue of irregular employment of foreign nationals, who are residing in the country not conforming to the laws and regulations of residency, through voluntary departure from the Kingdom of Bahrain to their countries of origin. Gulf Air will be supporting this process by providing tickets at the lowest price and increasing the limit of free personal luggage allowance.

LMRA vice president for Finance & Administration Mr. Raji A.Rahman appreciated Gulf Air for joining as a supportive partner of this national campaign, by offering encouraging low prices on tickets and extra free baggage allowances for those foreign workers, who wish to leave voluntarily to their home countries.

The generously discounted tickets are for one way journey only on Gulf Air direct flights to Mumbai, Delhi, Dhaka, Thiruvanathapuram, Chennai, Kochi, Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Kathmandu, and Manila and may not be refunded or exchanged. As part of the national campaign Gulf Air will also increase the free baggage allowance limit from 30 kilograms to 40 kilograms without charging any additional fees for those leaving the country under the campaign.

Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer Mr. Samer Majali Said “We are pleased to join hands with LMRA in addressing the issue of irregular employment which aims at not only to provide catalytic support to this initiative but also demonstrates our support to the community partnership.”

Gulf Air will distribute guides, issued by the LMRA, pertaining to the rules and regulations of Bahrain labour market to foreign workers and make them aware of their obligations and right. The guide will be distributed from the company’s sales offices located in countries of origin.