50 flexi-permits being issued by LMRA every day
AN average of around 50 expats every day are getting flexible work permits that allow them to legalise their stay in Bahrain and work on a freelance basis.
They were launched on July 23 by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) and are designed to tackle the large number of illegal workers, allowing those under 60 to sponsor themselves.
So far people of 16 different nationalities have come forward to apply for the permits, said LMRA chief executive Ausamah Al Absi.
“The top three nationalities who have benefited from the flexi work permit so far are Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis,” he added.
The two-year permits are only available from the LMRA’s branch in Sitra and cost a total of BD1,169, including a BD200 work visa, BD144 healthcare fee, a BD30 monthly fee and a one-time deposit of BD90 to ensure travel tickets can be refunded in case recipients wish to return home.
There is also a one-time BD15 discounted fee to be paid by a person whose residency has expired.
“The flexi work permit process is going on a steady pace with a good response from expats,” said Mr Al Absi.
“We are issuing between 45 to 55 permits daily, which allow holders to work with multiple employers and even travel abroad.”
The scheme is designed to help stamp out the so-called “free visa” market, in which foreigners buy work permits for as much as BD1,500 and then work illegally for other employers.
It is estimated it could inject as much as BD56 million into government coffers in the first two years, money that would otherwise have gone into the illegal visa black market.
However, domestic workers and those with travel bans or court cases are not covered by the scheme.
Mr Al Absi stressed illegal residents who did not take advantage of an amnesty in 2015, during which they could have left Bahrain without facing penalties, were eligible for the new permit as long as they had not absconded from their former employer.
“Those who did not leave during the last amnesty and are not runaway workers are eligible for the flexi work permit scheme,” he said.
“We are trying our best to accommodate every applicant.”
Successful applicants receive a blue identity card featuring their CPR number and photograph, subject to renewal every six months for free.
However, they need a passport valid for at least six months to apply and Mr Al Absi reported a surge in passport renewals at embassies.
“We have received communications from different embassies stating they are dealing with more applications related to renewal of passports,” he said.
“Applicants should have their passport with them and it should have a validity of at least six months to complete the process.”
Officials say there are more than 60,000 illegal workers in Bahrain, most of them from Bangladesh.
The LMRA hopes to issue 2,000 permits every month during the first two years, although those who intend to work in restaurants, hotels and salons need to also submit medical test results from a Health Ministry authorised centre.
Workers can also pay the BD30 monthly fee by visiting any Bahrain Financing Company branch to avoid cancellation of their permit.
Anyone interested in the scheme should send their CPR numbers via text message to 33150150 to ask if they are eligible.
For more information, contact the LMRA’s flexible work permit call centre on 17103103 or visit www.lmra.bh.
Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/249204/50-flexi-permits-being-issued-by-LMRA-every-day
