Employee Rights & LMRA FAQ

Yes. Expatriate workers must have the appropriate legal authorization to work in Bahrain. Working without the required work permit may violate Bahrain's labour-market and residency requirements. Do not start working for a new employer until the required transfer has been completed and the appropriate work permit has been issued.

Official source: Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA)

No. LMRA states that expatriates are prohibited from illegally engaging in employment while on a visit visa. Violations can result in legal consequences, including fines and deportation. A visit visa should not be treated as permission to work.

Official source: LMRA

You should only work in accordance with the conditions of your valid work permit. LMRA states that expatriate employees should work at the place indicated in the permit, or qualifying branches of the same employer carrying out the same activity, and perform the occupation covered by the permit. Do not begin working for another employer merely because you have received a job offer — complete the required transfer and work-permit procedures first.

Official source: LMRA

Bahrain's labour-market legislation provides mechanisms through which expatriate workers may transfer between employers, subject to applicable conditions and procedures. The exact requirements depend on the worker's circumstances and permit status. Check your current eligibility and transfer procedure directly with LMRA before leaving or starting another job. Do not assume that receiving a new job offer automatically transfers your work permit.

Official source: LMRA

Use LMRA's official services to check your work-permit status and related information. Do not rely only on information provided in a job advertisement, WhatsApp message, recruiter message or other third-party communication.

Official source: LMRA

LMRA states that withholding an expatriate employee's travel or identification documents, such as a passport or ID card, is illegal. If an employer refuses to return these documents, LMRA advises that the matter can be reported to a police station and that the Expat Protection Centre can also provide assistance.

Official source: LMRA FAQ — “My employer has taken my passport and is refusing to give it back.”

For employer-sponsored expatriate workers, LMRA states that employers must bear the fees imposed on the worker in connection with the work permit, including applicable health-insurance costs. LMRA also states that workers must not give money or other benefits to an employer in exchange for issuing or renewing their work permit. Different arrangements may apply to special permit categories such as the Registered Worker Permit, so check which permit category applies to you.

Official source: LMRA

Employers are required to pay expatriate workers' wages on time in accordance with their employment contracts and applicable wage-protection requirements. Bahrain operates a Wages Protection System (WPS) to improve transparency and oversight of wage payments. If you have a wage dispute, you can contact the relevant Bahrain authority for assistance.

Official source: LMRA and Ministry of Labour

Keep relevant evidence such as your employment contract, bank statements or salary records, payslips, messages and other supporting documents. Private-sector workers may use the Ministry of Labour's labour-complaint service where its eligibility conditions are satisfied. For serious situations involving exploitation, forced work or possible trafficking, expatriate workers can contact the Expat Protection Centre.

The Bahrain Ministry of Labour provides a service for registering and addressing labour complaints from private-sector workers. The government's published service conditions include requirements concerning the worker's employment and work-permit status. Because eligibility depends on the circumstances, check the current conditions on the official government service page before submitting a complaint.

Seek assistance immediately. LMRA's Expat Protection Centre provides support to expatriate workers. LMRA publishes the 995 hotline, available 24/7 in multiple languages, for the Expatriate Workers Protection and Support Centre. In an emergency or where someone's immediate safety is at risk, contact the appropriate Bahrain emergency authorities.