New reconciliation procedures for work permit violations implemented

At a glance

• The Labour Market Regulatory Authority has implemented a new law amending reconciliation procedures for work permit violations, aligning with the National Labour Market Plan (2023-2026).
• Business owners now have greater flexibility to settle violations, especially for foreign workers with expired work permits.
• Employers can reconcile by paying BHD500 for employing a foreign worker without a permit, with the amount doubled for repeat offenders.
• For expired work permits, reconciliation amounts increase based on the number of days after expiration.

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority has confirmed the implementation of a new law which will amend the procedures and regulations for reconciliation in crimes related to work permits. The amended reconciliation mechanism and procedures have been introduced after many consultations and to more closely align with the National Labour Market Plan for the years (2023-2026). 

The new amendments provide business owners with greater flexibility to settle violations through reconciliation, especially in cases where a foreign worker is caught working for the same employer with an expired work permit. According to the new law, reconciliation may be reached where an employer employs a foreign worker without a work permit, by paying an amount of BHD500, which is doubled if the employer is a repeat offender. If an employer is caught employing a foreign worker with an expired work permit, the reconciliation amount will be gradually increased based on the number of days after the permit's expiration. For example, within the first ten days, the amount is BHD100, between ten and 20 days, it's BHD200, and between 20 and 30 days, it's BHD300. After 30 days, the minimum fine stipulated for the crime applies.