Bahrain: Unemployment benefit not for expats
Migrant workers entitled to compensation in case of ‘arbitrary’ sacking
Cairo: Bahraini authorities have denied media reports claiming that migrant workers in the country can get unemployment benefits.
“By virtue of the anti-employment insurance law, the unemployment benefit is offered to Bahrainis only at the rate of 200 dinars per month for the university graduate and 150 dinars for the holder of the non-university degree for maximum nine months. This benefit is not offered to foreigners,” the Ministry of Labour and Social development said.
The ministry explained that expatriate workers have the right to obtain compensation for arbitrary dismal from work.
“This compensation is equivalent to 60 per cent of the basic salary if the dismissal from work is arbitrary and has no legal grounds,” it added in a statement.
The Bahraini Labour Market Regulatory Market has given the expatriate worker, laid off arbitrarily, to apply for the compensation within a 30-day deadline.
The numbers of foreign workers in the kingdom have recently dropped to reach 456,840 this year against 477,741 in 2019, according to figures released by Bahrain’s state Social Insurance organisation.
Last month, a Bahraini parliamentary committee approved a draft bill obliging employers to give job preferences to citizens as the kingdom is seeking to replace expatriates in work.
The draft commits employers to check records of Bahraini job-seekers and hire the qualified citizens. Failure to comply with the regulations will be punishable by a fine ranging from BD5,000 to 20,000.