Mobility Unlocked

TDT | Manama

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LMRA Clarifies Job Transfer Rules

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has issued a clear reminder of how expatriate workers can legally transfer from one employer to another, emphasising transparency and the importance of documented resignation.

Transfer process

Under the outlined steps, the new employer must initiate the transfer by submitting a work permit request through the Expatriate Management System (EMS). A critical requirement is proof that the current employer has received the employee’s resignation, a safeguard to prevent disputes over whether notice has been given.

Once filed, the LMRA and relevant entities review the application before electronically forwarding it to the current employer for action.

The rules give employers some control, but only within a set framework. If the worker has been with the current employer for less than one year, the employer may approve or reject the transfer request. However, if the worker has completed more than one year, the current employer cannot block the move but is authorised to set the notice period in line with the law, typically 30 days and up to 90 days depending on the contract.

Final step

After all requirements are fulfilled and approvals processed, the expatriate may join the new employer. The LMRA frames this sequence under its guiding principles of “Transparency, Responsibility, Stability,” assuring both workers and employers that transfers occur with accountability on all sides.

By setting resignation proof and the one-year rule at the heart of the process, the LMRA seeks to balance workplace stability with expatriates’ right to mobility. The move is part of its ongoing efforts to keep labour market transitions orderly and dispute-free.