HRH Premier issues two edicts in implementation of National Employment Programme

Manama, Mar. 6 (BNA): In implementation of the National Employment Programme launched by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, including the initiatives regarding lifting/increasing the fees for issuance of optional work permits and issuance of flexible work permits for establishments that did not achieve the requisite Bahrainisation ratio, and to achieve the National Employment Programme initiative, HRH the Prime Minister issued Edict 2/2019 and Edict 3/2019 amending some of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA)-collectible fees. Edict 2/2019 stipulates the replacement of Paragraph I of Article I of Edict 27/2016 regarding fees collectible by the LMRA, as follows: An optional fee amount of BD500 (five hundred Bahraini dinar) is calculable in addition to the fees for issuance or renewal of a work permit for two years beyond the prescribed Bahrainisation ratio, and this surcharge is not collectible against those who are compliant with the prescribed Bahrainisation ratio. Edict 3/2019 stipulates the replacement of Article 2 of Edict 31/2014 regarding some of the LMRA collectible fees, as follows: The fee collectible from a non-Bahraini business owner upon issuance of permit to carry out an occupational activity or renewal, will be an amount of BD 500 (five hundred dinar), including the fees prescribed to carry out an occupational activity, NOC, entry/reentry and residence visa, medical checkup and ID card. The Minister of Labour and Social Development and Chairman of the LMRA Board of Directors, and all the competent entities will implement this Edict effective starting from the day after to the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.