LMRA chief meets Indian ambassador

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) will start issuing two types of flexible work permits for expatriates. 
LMRA Chief Executive Officer Osama bin Abdulla Al-Absi announced the move as he received Indian Ambassador to Bahrain Alok Kumar.
Al-Absi, also Head of National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Persons, said that 2000 Flexi-work permits and Hospitality work permits would be issued monthly – for a two-year period for two professions only.
“The Hospitality flexi-work permits concern expatriates who will work in restaurants, hotels, salons and other professions requiring special medical test” he said. 
The beneficiaries under the flexi-scheme will be issued with a special card featuring the worker’s photo, data, type of permit and its period of validity. 
Al-Absi stressed Bahrain’s keenness on protecting expatriate workers’ rights, highlighting strenuous efforts over the past years to enhance the work environment.
He urged the Indian envoy to cooperate with Bahrain’s efforts to protect expatriates from exploitation or human trafficking and preserve their rights.
The ambassador commended the Government of Bahrain for its official care, adding that the Indian expatriate community enjoys all its rights. 
He said that the embassy will spare no efforts to cooperate with the LMRA officials and other relevant authorities and urged the illegal Indian workers to regulate their situation and benefit from flex-work permit format. 
According to latest statistics, Indian migrants top 313,000, making them the largest expatriate community living in Bahrain. These include 219,000 workers, 66,000 domestic helpers, 2500 investors and 63,000 dependents. 

Source: BNA