The flexi-work permit policy is to be upgraded as part of efforts to reinvigorate the labour market’s competitiveness and step up development.

The move was announced during the weekly Cabinet meeting, chaired remotely by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.

The rethink was recommended by the Government Executive Committee, chaired by the Crown Prince, taking into consideration also the viewpoints of the Shura Council, Parliament and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).4

The step aims to better implement the scheme, generate jobs for citizens and improve their employability, in addition to protecting expatriates’ rights to avert any exploitation.

Five measures were announced to develop the scheme:

Intensify inspections to ensure self-employed holders of flexi-work permits do not engage in professional activities unless authorised.

Clamp down on illegal workers and take necessary measures against them. Workers who do not comply with regulatory procedures or who hold a business commercial registration are not allowed to apply for flexi permits.

Combining flexi-work permits and the commercial register is prohibited.

A committee will propose regulatory standards for 20 identified professions and any other professions the committee deems relevant to include.

The panel consists of representatives from the ministries of Labour and Social Development, Finance and National Economy, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning and Electricity and Water Affairs, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, the BCCI and the Education and Training Quality Authority.

Barring flexi-work permit holders from registering industrial motor vehicles used in construction and transport buses.

His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa was congratulated on the successful medical check-ups he had undergone.

The session wished him good health and long life to continue the march of development, led by the King.

Citizens and residents were urged to show more commitment to mandatory precautionary measures to combat Covid-19. The session stressed the importance of building on achievements attained so far and work with a one-team spirit in national interest – first and foremost.

The Cabinet saluted healthcare personnel and first responders for their tireless dedication which has allowed Bahrain to maintain relatively high Covid-19 recovery rates, testing rates and efficient contact tracing efforts.