Bahrain now requires manpower agencies to deposit work permit insurance —DMW

The Department of Migrant Workers said Wednesday licensed manpower agencies are now required to deposit insurance for work permit issuance in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The DMW said Bahrain's Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), through its Chairman and Minister of Labour Jameel Bin Mohammed Alo Humaidan made the announcement last November 5.

The new policy under Decision No. 4 of 2024 requires licensed agencies to deposit BHD 150 or P23,406 as insurance in addition to every issued regular work permit.

The new policy was set in place to cover reparation costs for the worker in case of termination, and is applicable to licensed agencies that supply temporary contracted workers.

"The new measure is aimed at protecting both the workers and the agencies involved, ensuring that the financial burden of repatriation will not be shouldered by workers in cases of contract termination or other related circumstances,” Migrant Workers Office-Bahrain Officer-in-Charge Celia Viernes-Cabadonga said.

The policy will be in effect after its publication on the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Official Gazette. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/AOL, GMA Integrated News