Decree No. 1061 waived the fine for overstaying visas, which was 20 Tunisian dinars for every week of irregular overstay in the country with no capping of fees, for vulnerable migrants including victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrant students wishing to leave the country.
Federal Law No. 10 introduces measures for the protection of domestic workers such as outlining the role of recruitment agencies, setting standards for labour contracts, employer and employee obligations, inspections, penalties, time off, end of service indemnity, termination of contracts, and providing dispute settlement.
The flexi-visa scheme enables regularization for migrants with irregular status working in “non-specialized occupations” through self-sponsorship, with the possibility to work for different employers in exchange for a fee. The purpose for introducing the Flexi-permit scheme was to combat irregular employment and that migrant workers benefiting from the scheme occupy jobs that are not sought by Bahrainis. In February 2019, the fee was increased as part of the National Employment Programme to promote the employment of Bahraini nationals, with a two-year permit costing BHD 1,469.
Law No. 1 of 2017 amends Article 7 of Law No. 21 of 2015 which regulates the entrance, exit and residence of expatriates.
Law No. 13 amends the Labour Law promulgated by law No. 14 of 2004 and the Civil and Commercial Proceedings Law promulgated by law No. 13 of 1990.
Law No. 15 sets provisions around foreign domestic workers regarding recruitment, contracts, medical examination and residence permits.
Law No. 159 on the status of refugees reinforces the national legal framework on asylum and refugee status while also incorporating many important provisions from the 1951 Refugee Convention and its Protocol to ensure that nationals and refugees enjoy equal civil, economic, social and cultural rights.
The 2017-2020 crisis response plan covers various sectors and aims to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to the most vulnerable displaced people and poor Lebanese, to reinforce Lebanon’s economic, social, environmental and institutional capacity, and to strengthen national and local service delivery and therefore expand access to and improve the quality of basic public services.
Ministerial Order No. 15 establishes the formation and procedures of a National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking.