Lmra Bahrain: Understanding The Labor Market Regulatory Authority

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) in Bahrain offers services to employers and expatriate employees in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The LMRA provides information and procedures for transactions with the authority, as well as official statistics, laws and resolutions pertaining to the labour market in Bahrain. Expatriate employees can access services such as medical examinations, guidance on grievances against absence from work, and cancellation of expired work permits or in-progress applications. The LMRA also offers a Labour Registration Program where expatriate employees can verify their legal status and eligibility to apply through the program.

Expatriate employee services

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) in Bahrain offers a range of services to expatriate employees. These services are designed to provide support and assistance to foreign workers in the country.

One key service is the Expatriate Management System (EMS), an online platform that allows employers or authorised individuals to apply for new work permits, change expatriate occupations, and manage other LMRA-related transactions. The EMS also includes an eSupport function, enabling users to report and follow up on any problems or inquiries regarding LMRA services.

Expatriate employees can also utilise the LMRA website to access relevant information and procedures. The website provides official statistics, laws, and resolutions pertaining to Bahrain's labour market. Additionally, the LMRA offers a Verification of Eligibility service, allowing expatriate employees to check their legal status and eligibility to apply for the labour registration program using their identity card number, work permit number, application ID, or passport number.

The LMRA also provides an Expatriate Employee Services Guide, which offers comprehensive information on various topics. This guide covers medical examinations, grievances against absence from work, transfer procedures, cancellation of expired work permits, and employee rights and obligations. The guide is available in multiple languages, including English, Bangla, Hindi, Malayalam, Thai, Urdu, Indonesian, Sinhala, Nepali, Chinese, and Turkish.

Furthermore, the LMRA offers contact information for those seeking additional support, including a general number, call centre, email address, and fax number. These channels can be used to reach out and connect with the LMRA for further assistance.

Grievance procedures

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) is a government entity in Bahrain that regulates the labour market and provides services to both employers and expatriate employees. The LMRA offers information, procedures, and official statistics pertaining to the labour market in Bahrain. It also processes work permits and visas for expatriate employees and their dependents.

The LMRA has an Expat Protection Centre (EPC) that handles grievances, complaints, and inquiries from expatriate workers. Here is an overview of the grievance procedures for expatriate employees in Bahrain:

• Withholding of Documents: If an employer withholds an expatriate employee's travel or identification documents (such as a passport or ID card), this is illegal. In such cases, employees should report the incident to the police and can also seek assistance from the EPC.
• Non-acceptance of Resignation: If an employer refuses to accept an employee's resignation or notice, the employee should send it as registered mail to the company's official address, which must match the physical address registered with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
• Unpaid Wages: For complaints or inquiries regarding unpaid wages, settlement, or indemnity, expatriate employees can visit the EPC in Northern Sehla.
• Absence from Work Notification: If an employer notifies the LMRA of an employee's absence from work, the employee can submit a grievance against this notification. They can do so by submitting an application online via the Expatriate Services System within 30 days of the employer's submission. Alternatively, they can visit the EPC after 30 days of the notification to submit their grievance.
• Harassment: In cases of verbal or physical harassment, expatriate employees should report the incident to the nearest police station or call Emergency Services. They can also submit a complaint at the EPC in Northern Sehla or contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
• Incorrect Information: If there is a mismatch between the information on the Expat Management System (EMS) and an employee's official documents, they should contact their employer. The employer should then submit an e-support ticket via the eSupport function on the EMS and upload the relevant documents.
• Visa Cancellation: If an employer cancels an employee's visa while they are on holiday outside of Bahrain, the employee can claim their legally prescribed rights for the termination of the work contract. This is in accordance with Article (102) of Law No. (36) of 2012 regarding work in the private sector.
• Work Permit Fees: If an employee resigns before the end of their contract, the employer is not allowed to charge them fees for the work permit. However, the employer has the right to take legal action for damages resulting from the breach or premature cancellation of the contract.
• Passport Retention: If an employer retains an employee's passport, citing "company policy" or "safeguarding" purposes, the employee should report this to the police and can seek assistance from the EPC.

Work permits

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) in Bahrain is responsible for issuing and managing work permits for expatriate employees. The LMRA provides a comprehensive guide on its website to help employers and employees navigate the process of obtaining and renewing work permits.

New Work Permits

To obtain a new work permit for an expatriate employee, employers must submit a request through the LMRA. The employee must meet several requirements, including having a valid passport (with at least six months' validity) and a medical examination report from their home country or country of residence. The LMRA also requires an employment contract between the employer and employee, which must be in Arabic or bilingual and include specific details such as salary, occupation, and duration of the contract. Once the application is submitted, the employer must pay the administrative fees, after which the application will be processed and verified. After receiving approval, the final fees must be paid, and the work permit can be printed.

Work Permit Renewal

Employers can also renew employee work permits through the LMRA before they expire. The renewal period can be for six months, one year, or two years, with corresponding fees. The employee's passport must be valid for at least two months, and the renewal application can be made through accredited banks or the LMRA's Expat Management System (EMS). After submitting the renewal application, administrative fees must be paid, followed by renewal fees. Once payment is complete, the renewal is validated, and the permit can be printed on the same day.

Registered Worker Permit

The LMRA also offers a Registered Worker Permit for workers in the Kingdom of Bahrain with terminated work permits. To be eligible, workers must meet specific criteria, including having no criminal record and being in good standing with their contract obligations. The worker must submit a completed and signed Registered Worker Permit Service Form along with their passport copy. After submitting the application and paying the administrative fee, the LMRA evaluates and audits the application before transmitting it to the Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs (NPRA) for scrutiny. Once the application is approved, the worker receives their work permit and a work card from the registration centre.

Employee rights and obligations

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) in Bahrain has set out various rights and obligations for expatriate employees to ensure they are legally protected and treated fairly.

Expatriate Employee Rights:

• The right to change employers after working for one year, but the employee must inform LMRA and their current employer of their intention to do so within the period specified in the contract.
• The right to lodge a grievance against any decision made by the LMRA within 30 days of the issue.
• The right to keep their passport, and if handed over for safekeeping, they must receive an acknowledgement of receipt.
• The right to report any abuse or incitement to violate laws and regulations to the police, the Protection and Grievances Centre, the Ministry of Labour, or their embassy.
• The right to receive full wages at the time specified in the contract. If not received, the employee must continue working and notify their employer of this breach. They may also file a complaint with the Ministry of Labour or register a labour case at LMRA’s Protection and Grievances Centre or the Director of Labour case at the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf.
• Under no circumstances should an employee pay any money for issuing or renewing a work permit, and they must resort to LMRA’s Protection and Grievances Centre if this occurs.

Expatriate Employee Obligations:

• Employees must not work in any capacity not stipulated in their work permit.
• Employees must provide LMRA with digital fingerprints, a photo, and a signature when first entering Bahrain, or within a month of their arrival.
• Employees must not be absent from work for more than 15 days without their employer's notice or permission.
• Employees must only work for an employer authorized by their work permit and must inform LMRA and their employer of any intention to transfer to another employer.
• Employees must abide by all rules and regulations in Bahrain to ensure a safe and legal stay in the country.
• Employees must open a bank account and provide their account number to their employer.
• Upon work permit expiry, employees have a 30-day grace period to find a new employer or leave the country, and they may not take up any other work during this time.
• Employees should regularly check their work permit status and keep their information up to date with LMRA.

Additional Employee Rights and Obligations:

In addition to the above, employees in Bahrain are also entitled to certain protections under the law, regardless of their employment status. These include:

• Protection against discrimination based on sex, origin, language, religion, or ideology in terms of wages and treatment (as per Article 39 of the Law).
• Female employees are entitled to all the same provisions as male employees without discrimination (Article 29).
• Employees are protected against sexual harassment in the workplace (Article 192).
• Employees are entitled to a minimum of 30 days of annual leave and 55 days of sick leave (Article 59).
• Employees are entitled to a maximum of eight working hours per day (Article 50).
• Employees with at least one year of service are entitled to a minimum of 30 days of paid annual leave (Article 60).
• Employees are entitled to three days of paid leave for specific personal or family events, such as marriage or the death of a relative (Article 63).
• Female employees are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave on full pay, as well as additional time off to care for their child up to the age of one (Article 62).
• Muslim employees who have served five consecutive years are entitled to a 14-day paid leave to perform Hajj (Article 67).
• Employees are entitled to a notice period of at least 30 days before the termination of their contract (Article 99).
• Upon termination, employees are entitled to their accrued annual leave days, return travel tickets to their home country if they don't find new employment, and an end-of-service reward or indemnity (Articles 27, 59, 116).
• Employees are also entitled to a free end-of-service certificate from their employer, detailing their employment history and benefits (Article 13).

These rights and obligations aim to provide a fair and just framework for expatriate employees in Bahrain, ensuring their well-being and legal protection.

Labour market statistics

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) in Bahrain provides official statistics, laws, and resolutions pertaining to the country's labour market. The LMRA's website offers a range of services to employers, business owners, and expatriate employees in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

LMRA data from March 2002 to June 2023 shows fluctuations in employment numbers. The highest employment figure during this period was 787,190 people in December 2016, while the lowest was 278,414 in March 2002. The data is categorised by gender, sector (public or private), and nationality (Bahraini or non-Bahraini).

As of June 2023, the total number of people employed under the LMRA was 770,129, with 598,839 males and 171,290 females. In the private sector, there were 633,636 employees, consisting of 548,464 males and 85,172 females. The public sector employed 136,493 people, but the breakdown by gender is not provided.

Of the total employed, 161,101 were Bahraini, with 146,461 males and 14,640 females. Non-Bahrainis made up the majority, with 609,028 employees, including 501,470 males and 107,558 females.

The LMRA encourages inquiries and recommendations to improve the efficiency and management of the labour market through open communication.

Frequently asked questions