Bahrain – Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) yesterday launched a ‘flexible work permit’ allowing workers who have overstayed in the Kingdom to work and reside in Bahrain without a sponsor. Announcing the decision, LMRA, CEO, Ausamah Al Absi said: “This is an unprecedented procedure in the Middle East region and allows Bahrain to cope with the rapidly growing changes and challenges in the labour market.”The move, when effective, will provide the applicants complete independency and will be allowed to work under multiple employers simultaneously. This includes any non-professional job, full or part-time, and with more than one employer, for a renewable period of two years. However, applicants will have to pay for their work permit, health care, travel ticket as opposed to these fees being paid by an employer. Under the new flexible permit system; LMRA will accept 2000 workers per month through its Sitra Industrial Area branch. Beginning July 23, LMRA’s Sitra branch will start scheduling appointments, where 2000 permits will be issued per month.
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