Work permits issued to expatriates will from now on become null and void the moment the Industry and Commerce Ministry cancels commercial registers.Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) chief executive Ausamah Al Absi announced the new measure following a meeting with Industry and Commerce Ministry assistant under-secretary Hameed Rahma, commercial register director Khalifa Rabia and e-support chief Mohammed Awadh.They agreed to co-ordinate measures and regulate the situation of commercial registers (CRs).

They also discussed the signing of a memorandum of understanding to conduct joint inspection campaigns, set up e-networking, organise the issue and cancellation of CRs and work permits.

Mr Al Absi said that the agreement will ensure private sector’s compliance with rules and regulations and protect the labour market and national economy.

LMRA deputy chief executive for operations Ali Kooheji, customer service director Ashraf Hafedh and other officials also attended the meeting.

Industry and Commerce Minister Zayed Al Zayani announced early this month the cancellation of 9,000 inactive CRs last year.

The ministry has also sent warnings to owners of other CRs according to provisions of the law to correct their legal situation.

Under the new measures, the cancellation of the commercial registers will lead automatically to the annulment of the works permits linked to it from the LMRA database, which will leave expatriate workers concerned with no option but to leave Bahrain.