Bahrain

The Cabinet approved a draft resolution to Regulate the Authority for Settlement of Individual Labour Disputes. The Authority will be attached to the Department of Labour Relations in the Ministry of Labour and Social Development. Its mission is to try to effect an amicable settlement between an employer and employee, on the condition that both parties consent to it and prior to resorting to the Judiciary. This is to reduce the number of cases presented to the Judiciary. The draft resolution specifies the organization and administration of the Authority as well as the requirements for settlement.

Amnesty was granted through Royal Decree No. 10 to 901 prisoners, including migrants, for humanitarian reasons and in light of the COVID-19 situation. The Ministry of Interior undertook a comprehensive study to determine the prisoners who are eligible for amnesty following the provisions of the law and the principles of international human rights agreements. Consideration was given to female and young prisoners, the sick who need special care, and the extent of commitment to rehabilitation programmes. Foreigners will be deported to their home countries where they will serve the remaining period of their sentences.

On 5 March 2019, the King approved and issued Law No. (1) for the year 2019 Amending Article 14 of Law No. (21) of 2015 on Private Health Institutions. The aim is to prioritise the employment of Bahraini doctors, technicians and nurses in these institutions unless there is a need for special expertise that is rare and unavailable. Private Health Institutions should start implementing the provisions of the Law with immediate effect upon the expiration of the contracts of expatriate medical staff.

Resolution No. 2 amends some provisions of Resolution No. 76 of 2008 on the Regulation of Work-Permits for Foreign Workers Who Are Not Non-Domestic Workers. This resolution ensures that employers looking to renew the work permits of migrant workers have succeeded in preserving workers’ rights, including the timely payment of wages, and did not mistreat them in any way. It also requires employers to register and update data pertaining to their businesses and employees and make other commitments that protect workers’ rights.

Resolution No. 68 on the Wage Protection System, issued by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs stated that business owners must commit to paying the salaries of workers as stipulated in the Wage Protection System and as per the dates set in Labour Law no. (36) for the year 2012 for the private sector through the entities authorised by the Central Bank of Bahrain. The authorised entities have to disclose to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), upon the payment of employees’ salaries, information on the full name and personal number of an employee, the salary amount paid along with the date of payment, the account number of the employee or the employment identification code, and the account number and the private or commercial register number of the employer.

Resolution No. 1 on the Implementation of the Wage Protection System, issued by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs on 11 July 2019 provided for the establishment of a database in LMRA for purposes of oversight of salary payments by employers to employees in accordance with the provisions of the Law and resolution No. 68 for the year 2019 on the Wage Protection System.

Decision No. 23 defines the scope of application of health insurance law as all citizens, residents, and visitors. Provisions for migrant workers are included in Article 28 requiring the employer to pay the fees for health insurance subscription on behalf of his non-Bahraini workers in order to cover the benefits listed under the compulsory health package for residents and requiring a sponsor to pay the subscription fees for persons he sponsors who do not have an employer in order to cover the benefits listed under the relevant compulsory health insurance package.

Interior Minister Order No. 8 amended decree No. 121 of 2007 to increase the monthly salary required for foreigners to request entry visas and resident permits for family members from 250 Bahraini dinars (approximately $660 at August 2019 exchange rates) to 400 Bahraini dinars.