Expat Hiring Gets Costlier

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain has increased fees on foreign labour starting in 2026 as part of efforts to narrow the cost gap between Bahraini and expatriate workers and encourage greater national participation in the private sector, the Labour Ministry said.

In a written reply to MP Hamad Al Doy, the ministry said the fee adjustment accompanies broader labour market policies including Bahrainisation requirements, wage support schemes, training programmes, and stricter enforcement against violations such as employing workers without valid permits.

The ministry said the reforms are designed to strengthen compliance, increase opportunities for Bahraini jobseekers, and improve monitoring of private-sector hiring practices.

Bahrainization rules continue to apply across sectors at varying levels, requiring firms to meet national employment targets. Companies that fail to comply face monthly penalties per expatriate worker permit, while those achieving higher localisation rates benefit from preferential access to government tenders.

The ministry also stressed its ongoing role in labour inspections, compliance monitoring, and protecting Bahraini workers from unfair dismissal practices, especially concerning wage support schemes.