EXPATRIATES have been urged not to depend on middlemen to benefit from an amnesty announced as part of measures to offset the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19), writes the GDN's Raji Unnikrishnan.

Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) grievances and protection director Shereen Al Saati also highlighted that an expatriate does not need his or her passport while applying for the amnesty, and assured them of free air tickets to return home.

Ms Al Saati was speaking during an interview yesterday on Radio 104.2FM, a station catering to the south Asian community in Bahrain.

“This is the first amnesty in five years and is aimed at helping expatriates who have lost their jobs or whose work permits have expired, and workers who have been reported as runaways or deemed by the LMRA inspectors as having violated the law,” she said.

The GDN previously reported that the nine-month amnesty, until December 31, allows undocumented foreign workers to either legalise their stay or leave as part of measures to combat Covid-19.

The move is aimed at an estimated 55,000 illegal expatriates who are known as ‘free-visa workers’.

All existing fines and records of those who avail of the amnesty will be erased, and they will not be “blacklisted,” emphasised Ms Al Saati.

“We aim to help workers, who are vulnerable or who are perhaps getting exploited.

“We don’t encourage the involvement of clearing agents or middlemen; the expatriates can process the papers themselves.

“If an expat has a new employer, the latter should apply on his behalf, and if it is a flexi permit, the expat himself can apply directly to the LMRA.

“We strongly recommend expats follow all our guidelines on the amnesty.

“It is illegal to pay anyone for a job or for a work permit, and the amnesty is free for anyone who wants to avail of it.

“A person need not have his passport with him while applying for the amnesty.

“We have a scanned copy of the passport in our system; the only condition is that the passport should have a validity of six months.

“As per the law, expat workers are entitled to return to their country at the expense of their last employer; the person opting to leave Bahrain as part of the amnesty need not have to bear the expenses of his air ticket.”

She said the government was concerned about all expats, irrespective of their status, and their peace of mind, especially over their residency status.

“All migrants, with regular or irregular residency status, must be able to access healthcare without fear of being arrested,” she said.

LMRA chief executive Ausamah Al Absi announced last week that 13,284 expatriates had taken advantage of the amnesty until April 26.

The LMRA has also announced the suspension of monthly work fees and fees for renewing work permits for expats for April, May and June.

For flexi permits call 17103103, SMS 33150150 or email copies of the passport and CPR to apply.flexi@lmra.gov.bh.