Bahrain leads GCC with labour welfare reforms
Bahrain is set to become the first country in the GCC to introduce complete freedom of movement between jobs for expatriates, and unemployment benefits for those out of work, according to a report in the ConstructionWeek online website.
Minister of Labour HE Dr Majeed Al Alawi said that workers would enjoy the same freedoms as Bahraini nationals when the law comes into effect in three months.
“It will virtually break the sponsorship system and allow free movement of expatriate workers between jobs,” he told the construction web portal. “It represents a major shift in labour policy for this region,” he added.
Dr Al Alawi said that the labour reforms, which he believes will provide a blueprint for other GCC states to follow, have been secured in the teeth of considerable opposition from employers.
However, the Minister believes that a free labour market will encourage companies to compete for the best talent, leading to better business practices that will benefit employers and employees.
“Workers will have the option to go to the employers where they will be treated better and paid better,” he said.
Employers will be protected by contract law. To move jobs, workers will have to give appropriate notice and fulfil their obligations under their contracts, the Minister explained.
A fledgling unemployment benefit system will also be rolled out when the new bill becomes law. Dr Alawi said that people losing their jobs would receive benefits for up to one month while they look for a new job, but he did not provide details about how the system would be administered or how much money people would receive.
Congrats for expatriates working in Bahrain. Hope there are no hidden terms.
No NOC...
Employers there will now treat their staff will respect....especially their maid.
britexpat ...lol ...maybe the direction of the wind changed....for the better.
Am I missing something.. It was only earlier this year that Bahrain was vocal in getting rid of expats all together..
Bahrain will soon have the best companies in GCC....having the best talents.....not over night but in 5 to 10 yrs time.
Its straight forward ....you put a huge magnet in a junk yard full of Iron filling & Alluminium filings....what will happen all the aluminium filing will get separated from the iron filing which will get attracted to the magnet.
Till now in GCC one could nt make out who is iron & who is aluminium.....even worse you couldnt make out a magnet from a make believe magnet.
Their service sector is just going to boom.
for sure it will not be that "easy" although this is a great leap for the expats!
"Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship"
"dgoodrebel will always be the rebellious good one"