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Diplomatic sources in Bahrain told Prothom Alo on Saturday that Bahrain had been asked for some time to legitimize irregular Bangladeshi workers. Under the circumstances caused by the coronavirus, the King of Bahrain announced the legalization of foreign workers who had become irregular. At the moment, no new foreign workers are being hired in the country. However, if the country’s economy recovers early next year, the process of hiring new foreign workers will begin.
If you want to meet the ambassador of Bangladesh in Bahrain. Nazrul Islam told Prothom Alo on Saturday that the Bahrain government had decided to legalize 55,000 foreign workers who had become irregular earlier this month. As a result, approximately 40,000 of the 50,000 irregular workers in Bangladesh will have the opportunity to legalize. For this, the embassy has already advised the Bangladesh staff to submit the application correctly. In addition, talks have started with the authorities here so that Bangladeshi workers get the maximum benefits.
He said the Bahrain government had already waived all fees for foreign workers until June due to coronavirus infections.
Nazrul Islam said that around two lakhs of Bangladeshi workers are currently working in Bahrain. For various reasons, at least 50,000 of them have become irregular. Bangladeshi workers work primarily as construction workers, drivers, and cleaners. In addition, around 5,000 Bangladeshis also run small businesses.
He said that in order for Bangladeshi workers to take advantage of the opportunity to become repeat customers, the embassy is arranging for them to issue new passports or renew their passports through the Bahrain Post. Additionally, Bahrain teams up with a finance company to ensure that Bangladeshi workers can easily register online through LMRA.
Citing Bahrain’s labor market regulatory authority or LMRA executive director Osama al-Absir, the country’s state news agency GDN recently reported that those who went to Bahrain without a visa would get the opportunity. Those who submit their application before December 31 will be subject to a general amnesty. As a result, irregular foreign workers will have the opportunity to legalize at no cost. Just as these workers will be able to legally work in Bahrain, they will be able to return to their country of origin without fines. Irregular foreign workers or foreign workers whose work has expired can take advantage of the general exemption by applying for a flexible work permit issued by the LMRA.
In this context, Osama Al-Absi told GDN that, considering the special situation that has emerged from a humanitarian point of view, this step has been taken to guarantee regular opportunities for reintegration into the labor market for foreign workers or to allow them to return to their homes. Like the previous clause, the application deadline is until December.
However, he also mentioned that foreign workers facing lawsuits will not get the benefit of the general amnesty. This means that those who stay in Bahrain on a tourist visa even after the visa expires or those who have been banned from traveling to Bahrain will not have that opportunity.
In 2015, Bahrain received a six-month general amnesty for foreign workers. At that time, 42,000 foreign workers had the opportunity to legalize. About 32,000 of them stayed in Bahrain to work. The remaining 10,000 return to their own country.
As of December last year, the country currently has 498,000 foreign workers.
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