Labour and Social Development Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, today chaired LMRA’s board meeting, held remotely.

The meeting reviewed the progress of the implementation of LMRA’s main projects, the ongoing efforts to facilitate transactions in order to save consumers’ time, and expanding the use of technology and conducting transactions electronically.

The minister stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to contribute to achieving the aspirations of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for implementing the Economic Recovery Plan aimed at developing the economy, creating quality job opportunities for the citizens, and making nationals the best option for employment, along with further development of LMRA’s supervisory and regulatory procedures.

Humaidan affirmed that the major challenge is to keep up efforts to sustain growth and develop the labour market, in accordance with the basic principles of the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and the Government Action Plan.

The minister was briefed on the progress of the implementation of a number of projects, the foremost of which is the Wage Protection System, and the level of employers’ commitment to joining it according to the timetable set for the three phases. He underlined the importance of the accurate application of the Wage Protection System, aimed at consolidating the stability in the work environment and reducing labour-related disputes.

He was also briefed on the Optional Insurance System for Domestic Workers, which provides the necessary protection for both employers and domestic workers, giving directives to study the possibility of adding new features to it to serve and preserve the rights of work parties.

The panel discussed the progress of the application of the Wage Protection System, whose third phase went into effect on 1 January 2022. It covers businesses with up to 49 workers, or about 98% of the country’s active businesses.

LMRA Chief Executive, H.E. Mr. Jamal Abdulaziz Al Alawi, briefed the board of directors about LMRA’s performance, especially regarding the recently launched projects, namely the Wage Protection System and the Optional Insurance System for Domestic Workers.

He asserted that LMRA is cooperating with its partners, the Central Bank of Bahrain and the Bahrain Insurance Association, to develop the Optional Insurance System for Domestic Workers in a way that would meet the needs of the citizens and residents.