The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) will officially take over the responsibility of issuing work visas to housemaids and other domestic workers from tomorrow. However, the Labour Ministry will continue to receive applications for work permits on a temporary basis to ensure a smooth transition, LMRA chief executive Ausamah Al Absi said.

The authority will maintain the same producers and e-system implemented by the ministry, while a training programme  has been introduced to prepare staff for such a task, he said. The authority, however, has plans to introduce its new e-system in the near future, he added.

Applications for recruiting domestic workers may be submitted to the authority and Isa Town Post Office. Other post offices  including Hamad Town, Riffa and Budaiya will receive applications in the coming days, he said. The authority handles about 1,500 work visa applications for expatriates and 230 applications for domestic workers daily.