The Ministry of Labour and the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) of the Kingdom of Bahrain are now requiring manpower agencies insurance deposit before any work permit is issued, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said they already advised manpower agencies in the country about the new policy that was announced by the LMRA on Nov. 5.
Based on the new policy, licensed agencies are now required to deposit BHD 150 (P23,406) as insurance for every work permit issued, in addition to the regular work permit. The new policy applies to all licensed agencies that supply temporary contracted workers whether on hourly, daily, monthly or yearly contracts.
Cacdac said the insurance deposit will be paid on top of the work permit fee and will be used to pay for the costs of repatriation should the worker be terminated.
The new measure, according to the DMW, is aimed at protecting both the workers and the agencies involved, ensuring that the financial burden of repatriation will not be shouldered by workers in cases of contract termination or other related circumstances.
“The government views this as a positive update on the regulation of the country for its temporary workers as it will relieve the burden of costs from the worker,” said Cacdac.
The regulatory update will be in effect after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Kingdom of Bahrain.