Member of Parliament Muneer Surur has proposed an amendment to Bahrain’s labor law to regulate the issuance of work permits for technical and administrative professions held by expatriates. The amendment would add a new clause (g) to Article 24 of Law No. 19 of 2006, limiting work permits for these professions to a two-year period, renewable only once under exceptional circumstances. Surur believes that this proposed amendment will create more job opportunities for Bahraini nationals by streamlining the work permit process and preventing the prolonged stay of expatriate workers unnecessarily.
The proposed law aims to ensure that the presence of foreign workers in Bahrain is limited to specific periods, allowing the country to benefit from their expertise while still prioritizing job opportunities for Bahraini citizens. The amendment aligns with the government’s recent decision to abolish flexible work permits and supports national efforts to curb unemployment by limiting the influx of foreign workers. Surur emphasized that the proposed amendment will go through the parliamentary process for further consideration and debate.
This amendment reflects a shift towards prioritizing job opportunities for Bahraini nationals while still benefiting from the expertise of foreign workers. By limiting work permits for technical and administrative professions held by expatriates to two years, with limited renewal options, Bahrain aims to create more job opportunities for its citizens and prevent the prolonged stay of foreign workers in unnecessary cases. The amendment aligns with the government’s efforts to curb unemployment by reducing the influx of foreign workers and ensuring that Bahraini nationals are prioritized for job opportunities.
The proposed amendment to Bahrain’s labor law introduced by Member of Parliament Muneer Surur seeks to regulate the issuance of work permits for technical and administrative professions occupied by expatriates. This amendment, if passed, would add a new clause (g) to Article 24 of Law No. 19 of 2006, limiting work permits for these professions to a two-year period, with one renewal option under exceptional circumstances. Surur believes that this amendment will streamline the work permit process, create more job opportunities for Bahraini nationals, and prevent the prolonged stay of expatriate workers in unnecessary cases.
Surur’s proposed amendment aligns with the government’s decision to abolish flexible work permits and emphasizes prioritizing Bahraini citizens for job opportunities while still benefiting from the expertise of foreign workers. By limiting the presence of foreign workers to specific periods, Bahrain aims to strike a balance between utilizing their skills and ensuring that job opportunities are available for its citizens. The proposed amendment will now undergo the parliamentary process for further discussion and consideration before potentially becoming law.
