Latest news with #non-Bahrainis
Zawya
16-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Bahrain close to deporting 10,000 illegal expatriates
Bahrain is close to deporting 10,000 illegal expatriates as part of its intensive inspection visits and joint campaigns carried out across the country since last year. The latest statistics released by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) indicate an upward trajectory with an increase in the number of campaigns, detention and deportation in its ongoing crackdown on irregular workers. A total of 1,167 inspection visits and joint campaigns were conducted from June 29 to July 12, resulting in the detention of 19 violating and irregular workers, and deportation of 242 expats. The labour watchdog said, in a statement yesterday, that various shops across the four governorates were covered. Besides the 1,146 inspection visits, 21 joint campaigns were conducted – 10 in the Southern Governorate, seven in the Muharraq Governorate, three in the Northern Governorate and one in the Capital Governorate. Overall since January last year, 82,941 inspection visits and 1,172 joint campaigns have been conducted, resulting in the identification of 3,245 violations and the deportation of 9,873 irregular workers. People are being urged to report illegal labour practices and violations via the website by calling 17506055 or via the government's suggestions and complaints system, Tawasul. In recent years, Bahrain has enforced tough new regulations to prevent the misuse of tourist visas and to ensure those seeking employment arrive with proper work permits issued by their employers. These measures also aim to provide job opportunities for Bahrainis and reduce unemployment by supporting citizens as the first choice for employers. LMRA chief executive Nibras Talib earlier told MPs that the introduction of the new rules has had a huge impact, with the incidence of tourist or visit visas being converted into work permits dropping by more than 87 per cent. Under the new rules, a visit visa can no longer be converted into a work or dependent visa without a sponsor. However, visit visas with a sponsor can be transferred to a work or dependent visa for a revised fee of BD250, instead of the previous BD60, only if it is for the same sponsor. Bahrain's total population reached 1,588,670, according to last year's statistics. Bahrainis are 739,736 (46.6pc) while non-Bahrainis are 848,934 (53.4pc). Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Daily Tribune
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Most Expat Workers in Bahrain Earn Less Than BD200, New Report Reveals
TDT | Manama A recent report by the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO) has shed light on a growing income gap between expatriates and Bahraini workers in the private sector, revealing that the vast majority of foreign workers earn less than BD200 a month. According to the data, only 4% of expats earn over BD1,000 per month—compared to 21% of Bahrainis. This is despite expatriates outnumbering locals by more than three to one in the private sector. By the end of the first quarter of 2025, there were 470,145 insured expat workers, yet 71% of them—roughly 332,270 people—earned under BD200 a month. In comparison, just 2% of Bahrainis (2,142 people) were in that same lowest income bracket. Interestingly, women made up the majority of that Bahraini group, with 1,659 women versus 483 men. The next largest group of expat workers earned between BD200 and BD399, accounting for 14% of the total. This income group included over 64,000 expats, with men making up nearly 80% of them. Among Bahrainis, about a third fell into this income category. As salaries climbed up the scale, the number of expatriates steadily declined. Around 8% of expats earned between BD400 and BD599, while only 2% made between BD600 and BD799. At the higher end—BD800 to BD999—just 1% of expats were recorded, in contrast to 8% of Bahrainis. The top income bracket—over BD1,000 per month—included 20,431 non-Bahrainis and 22,790 Bahrainis. Gender Divide Still Strong The report also highlighted a sharp gender divide. Of the total insured expat workforce, a significant 89.6% were men (421,722), and only 11.5% were women. Among Bahrainis, however, women made up the majority (56.3%) of the insured workforce, with 37,636 women compared to 66,822 men. The Wage Gap in Numbers When it comes to overall averages, Bahraini workers earned an average of BD881 per month, while expats averaged just BD271. The highest-paid Bahrainis were those aged 60 and above, earning BD1,732 on average. Among expats, the top earners were in the 50–59 age group, with an average salary of BD664.
Daily Tribune
28-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bilaj Al Jazayer opens to foreign property buyers
Foreign ownership of property in Bahrain has been widened to include Bilaj Al Jazayer, under a decision issued by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The measure amends Decision No. 43 of 2003, which governs the purchase of land and built properties by non-Bahrainis. New maps have been issued, replacing earlier versions that marked ownership zones across the Kingdom, including those covering the Muharraq and Southern Governorates. An additional entry, numbered (5), has been added to the table of investment and tourism projects where foreigners may buy real estate. Bilaj Al Jazayer is now among the areas open to non-Bahraini ownership. Decision The decision follows a submission by the Deputy Prime Minister and has been passed by the Cabinet. It draws upon the provisions of Decree-Law No. 2 of 2001, which regulates foreign ownership of land and property in Bahrain. The changes take effect the day after the decision appears in the Official Gazette.
Daily Tribune
23-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
74% of tour guides are Bahraini, ‘all licensed'
Tourism Minister, Her Excellency Fatima Al Sairafi, told Parliament yesterday that 74 per cent of tour guides in Bahrain are citizens, all licensed and certified by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA). She was speaking in response to remarks from MP Mohammed Janahi, who raised several concerns during the session. In reply, Al Sairafi defended the ministry's performance and said Bahrainis remain at the heart of the government's tourism plans. 'There are several points raised by the MP,' she said. 'Unfortunately, some of them are not accurate.' She said Vatel College of Hospitality is an accredited institution in Bahrain and that its students are employed while still studying. 'Sixty-two per cent of Vatel graduates are Bahrainis,' she told MPs. 'They are working in the hotel and hospitality sector in the Kingdom, which in itself shows the importance of this sector and the value the ministry and the authority place on bringing Bahrainis into it.' The Minister added that this approach falls under the tourism strategy launched in 2022. Al Sairafi said she welcomed the MP's call to make better use of the college and confirmed a new qualification is in the pipeline. Feasibility study 'At the moment, Vatel offers a bachelor's degree,' she said. 'We are working to introduce a master's degree soon. I would also like to support the MP's suggestion that the college offer short-term development courses. That is already under way. We are preparing a feasibility study with those involved in the tourism sector, inside and outside Bahrain.' Turning to training, she said the system for guides had been changed. 'There may have been training in 2015,' she said. 'But in 2023, we changed the whole training structure and worked with the UN World Tourism Organisation to ensure a full and proper programme for tour guides. This was a joint effort between the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority and the government bodies involved.' Oversight She also addressed the issue of oversight. 'The MP mentioned regulation, which is important,' she said. 'In 2023, the licensing and inspection directorates were separated. We are now preparing a new decision that will contain clear regulatory tools to stop these kinds of practices.' Al Sairafi noted that this policy shift has already produced results. 'The rise in the number of Bahrainis working as tour guides is clear,' she said. MP Janahi had referred to Decision No. (3) of 2005 on the regulation of tour guiding. Al Sairafi acknowledged that it states Bahrainis have priority, but she pointed out that Article 7 of the same decision allows for exceptions. 'The authority is allowed to grant licences to non-Bahrainis in certain cases,' she said, 'for example, to provide services in languages that Bahrainis may not speak. In the 2022 strategy, we targeted several tourist markets, including many countries in Europe.'
Daily Tribune
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Authority named for cultural and artistic institutions
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, yesterday issued Edict (26) of 2025 naming the competent administrative authority and the minister responsible for cultural and artistic associations, clubs, and private institutions of a cultural and artistic nature, and defining their respective specialisations. The edict was issued based on a submission by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs and following the approval of the Cabinet. The edict stipulates that under Article (I), the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) shall be the competent administrative authority, and its president shall be the competent minister for cultural and artistic associations, clubs, and private institutions of a cultural and artistic nature, as stipulated in Decree-Law (21) of 1989 concerning social and cultural associations, clubs, private entities operating in the field of youth and sports, and private institutions. The Authority and its president shall exercise the powers set out in this law. Under Article (II), Edict (7) of 2012 concerning the designation of the competent administrative authority and the minister responsible for cultural associations and defining their powers shall be repealed. HRH Prince Salman also issued Edict (27) of 2025, amending certain provisions of Edict (43) of 2003 concerning the regulation of areas in which non-Bahrainis may own property in the Kingdom of HRH Prince Salman Bahrain.
