Bahrain’s Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has announced the introduction of six-month work permits for migrant workers already residing in Bahrain. This new permit option complements the existing one- and two-year permits, but is not available to workers newly recruited from abroad.
According to the LMRA, the initiative aims to enhance labour market flexibility, reduce business operational costs, and allow employers to assess workers’ efficiency and suitability. The LMRA states that the new permits provide “business owners trial options to benefit from the existing workforce in the Kingdom.”
As per the LMRA’s website, the sponsor is required to pay a total of BD 86 (US$ 228) to issue a six-month permit.
The LMRA states the move as a way to “assess the efficiency and suitability of workers ultimately enhancing chances for success, growth, and reduced operational costs.” However, Bahrain’s Labour Law already includes a probationary period for this purpose. Article 21 of the Labour Law allows workers to be employed on probation if explicitly stated in the employment contract, with a maximum period of three months—extendable to six months for certain occupations determined by the Minister of Labour. Either party can terminate the contract during probation with at least one day’s notice.
However, due to the Kafala system, which ties migrant workers’ residency to their sponsors, these probation provisions do not apply equally to both parties. Migrant workers can only change their job with a no-objection certificate (NOC) from their sponsor, even during this probation period.. Otherwise, they must either leave the country or remain in employment for at least one year before they can change jobs without employer consent. As a result, despite the Labour Law applying to both national and migrant workers, its probation regulations do not benefit migrants in the way it benefits citizens and employers.
The new permit system primarily serves employers seeking temporary workers, for short-term projects, in contrast to the Labour Registration Program, where workers are self-sponsored and operate as independent contractors. It also serves to reduce costs for employers who would otherwise pay more to recruit workers from abroad for longer periods than needed.
