By SOMAN BABY

THE private sector was last night urged by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) for its full support.

The call came from LMRA chief executive Ali Radhi during a meeting with the tourism sector of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).

The BCCI delegation was headed by board member and tourism committee chairman Nabeel Kanoo.

The meeting was arranged to clear confusion among the members about LMRA fees and its programmes, Mr Kanoo told the GDN.

“There are about 70 active members representing the tourism sector at the BCCI,” said Mr Kanoo.

“Many of them told us that they are confused about the LMRA procedures.

“That is why we arranged a direct interaction with LMRA officials.”

BCCI, said Mr Kanoo, is arranging similar meetings with LMRA for different sectors.

“Tourism sector is an important segment of Bahrain’s economy and we are all very keen to see that the LMRA’s new procedures do not affect the smooth running of this industry,”

he added.

“We wanted to take a very proactive approach. The LMRA has promised to give all support to companies which comply with its requirements.”

Mr Kanoo said the BCCI delegates were told about the way the fees collected by the LMRA would be used.

“We are happy to learn that 80 per cent of the money would be used by the Labour Fund towards the training of Bahrainis,” he added.

“It is important to train more Bahrainis in the tourism sector so as to run it more professionally.”

The delegates complained about the delay they experience at LMRA for issuing new work visas and renewing the work visas for expatriates.

Mr Radhi said the companies which cleansed the data of their expatriates with LMRA were not facing any problem.

“Companies which have already started paying according to the first monthly invoices sent to them by LMRA will also not face delays in getting their papers processed,” he added.

“However, all companies have to comply with the new Bahrainisation percentage set by LMRA for each activity,” he added.