LICENSED manpower agencies in Bahrain were advised by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Tuesday on the latest regulatory update from the Middle Eastern country’s Ministry of Labor (MOL) and Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) that requires an insurance deposit for a work permit.
Migrant Workers Office-Bahrain Officer in Charge Celia Viernes-Cabadonga informed Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac of the changes that were announced by Bahrain Labor Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaida.
Bahrain’s Decision 4 of 2024 amends Article (6) of Decision 3 of 2014, where licensed agencies are now required to deposit 150 Bahraini dinars (P23,406) as insurance for every work permit, along with the regular work permit.
The DMW said the new policy applies to all licensed agencies that “supply temporary contracted workers whether on hourly, daily, monthly or yearly contracts.”
“The insurance deposit will be paid on top of the work permit fee and will be used to pay for the costs of repatriation should the worker be terminated. The government views this as a positive update on the regulation of the country for its temporary workers as it will relieve the burden of costs from the worker,” it added.
Cabadonga said the new policy was also aimed at protecting OFWs and their agencies, “ensuring that the financial burden of repatriation will not be shouldered by workers in cases of contract termination or other related circumstances.”
The new regulations will take effect after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
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