19 October 2010
Several businessmen are claiming that the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) is providing more assistance to runaway workers than they are to Bahraini employers. Continue reading
Visa health tests to be speeded up
By SANDEEP SINGH GREWAL , Posted on » Monday, October 18, 2010
EXPAT employees should get their work visas faster after private hospitals and clinics were given the green light to conduct mandatory pre-employment medical tests.The tests, which also cover family members, used to be conducted solely at Al Razi Health Centre, Al Nuaim. Continue reading
4,500 illegal Bangladeshis leave kingdom
More than 4,500 illegal Bangladeshis have left Bahrain under a government amnesty launched four months ago, it emerged yesterday. Another 1,000 are in the process of leaving after registering for the Labour Market Regulatory Authority’s (LMRA) Easy Exit scheme, said Bangladesh Embassy first secretary Muhammad Ibrahim. Continue reading
Where does the money go?
After several years of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) imposing fees on the hiring of foreign workers, many business owners still complain about the added expense. The LMRA currently charges BD200 for a work visa application or renewal and BD90 for a dependents’ visa. In addition to this, companies must pay BD10 a month for every foreign employee. This adds up to around BD440 in fees every two years for each expat worker. Continue reading
Bahraini-US skills deal
Bahraini and US officials yesterday reached a preliminary agreement on sharing the knowledge and experience of Bahraini and US experts in the fields of employment and training. Continue reading
Embassy pledge
THE Philippine Embassy is planning to soon launch its second mass repatriation programme. The move is part of its ongoing effort to keep a check on undocumented workers or those without proper paperwork.It is negotiating with all stakeholders, mainly employers and companies, to co-operate regarding the repatriation process, an embassy spokesman told the GDN. Continue reading
Ordeal finally over
Bonny Mascarenhas
The plight of ten Indian workers who were mistreated by their employer is finally over after their sponsor handed over their passports yesterday and tickets home.Their salaries, which allegedly have not been paid in over four months, have not yet been settled, however the workers have signed over power of attorney to an advocate to ensure they receive their dues at a later date Nirmal Kumar Chawdhary Continue reading
Sri Lankan officials join Easy Exit push
Bonny Mascarenhas
Efforts to increase awareness of the Easy Exit scheme are being extended to the Sri Lankan community in the Kingdom. Honorary Consul-General P.B. Higgoda told the Bahrain Tribune yesterday that billboards are to be set up across the Kingdom to inform Sri Lankans of the scheme. Continue reading
Other side of the coin
Business owners in Bahrain feel vindicated and they face problems with contradictory laws seemingly passed every day.They feel they are harassed, blackmailed and ill treated by authorities. It sounds a bit absurd as we expatriates are always at the receiving end when it comes to harassment, blackmailing and ill treatment. Continue reading
1,000 illegal workers held
More than 1,000 illegal workers have been tracked down by authorities in the first half of this year, it emerged yesterday. A total of 536 expats were caught working for 329 Bahraini employers without proper documents by Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) inspectors. Continue reading