Launch of the Labour Registration System in Bahrain

Date Adopted / Created / Concluded

On 17 October 2022, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority launched the Labour Registration Program in partnership with the private sector through Labour Registration Centers with the aim of providing a safe and balanced-work environment that preserves the rights of all parties and the society, enhancing the efforts to eliminate irregular workers and linking work permits to vocational standards and qualifications.

Ministerial Resolution No. (178) of 2022 regarding the regularization of residence conditions for applicants to issue a permit to practice a professional activity

Date Adopted / Created / Concluded

Article 1: Residence permit holders of an employer (flexible worker) shall be revoked three months after the date of implementation of this decision, and they have the right to reconcile their situation before the expiration of that period by obtaining permits approved by the Labor Market Regulatory Authority to practice a professional activity and register in labor registration centers.

Article Two: The issuance of a permit to practice a professional activity requires the obligation to pay the fee for extending the expired residency and the delay fee for those who failed to issue or renew the residency for work, and due for the last year or part of the year before the date of submitting the application, which are specified in the fee schedule for the services of the General Administration of Nationality, Passports and Residence, corresponding to Resolution No. (196) of 2014 regarding fees for the services of the General Administration of Nationality, Passports and Residence. Exemption from fees due for years prior to the date referred to in the preceding paragraph is provided, provided that the permit applicant fulfills the conditions and controls of the permit, and that there are no reservations regarding his continued stay in the Kingdom.

Resolution (2) of 2022 amending some provisions of Resolution No. (1) of 2017 regarding some fees imposed by the Labor Market Regulatory Authority

Date Adopted / Created / Concluded

An amount of five dinars is calculated for the issuance of a labor card for foreign workers who are authorized to practice professional activities, after issuing or renewing the permit. A monthly sum of five dinars is collected for following up on the commitment of foreign workers who are authorized to practice professional activities to register in labor registration centers approved by the Labor Market Regulatory Authority for this purpose.

Resolution No. (62) of 2022 amending Article (2) of Resolution No. (31) of 2014 regarding some fees imposed by the Labor Market Regulatory Authority

Date Adopted / Created / Concluded

Article Two: Resolution No. 17 of 2017 regarding the approval of professional activities that a foreign employer may not practice without obtaining a permit from the Labor Market Regulatory Authority is cancelled. The decision was issued on October 11, 2022.

Decree No. 27 of 2021 on Rules and Procedures for Granting Work Permits

Date Adopted / Created / Concluded

56 provisions to regulate the registration, renewal, and cancelation of work permits in Kuwait. Inlcudes ban on employers in the private sector and oil sector from withholding the passports of foreign workers. (Art. 38.)

Memo 1/41 Reception of pre-approval requests

Date Adopted / Created / Concluded
This Memo of the Ministry of Labour requests the concerned units in the central administration and the regional departments of the ministry of labour to re-receive applications for prior work approvals for all categories, and decide on them with respect to the deadlines and rules and procedures, and that is to be effective starting from the date of the Memo adoption.