LMRA Conducts 741 Inspection Campaigns And Visits. In recent years, the Kingdom of Bahrain has taken significant strides toward ensuring a regulated and secure labour market. The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) plays a central role in monitoring and enforcing the nation’s labour and residency laws. Between June 22 and June 28, 2025, LMRA conducted a massive operation involving 741 inspection campaigns and visits aimed at identifying illegal workers and addressing violations related to employment and residency. These efforts highlight the authority’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the Kingdom’s labour market.
LMRA Role in Bahrain Labour Market
The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) is a key governmental body in Bahrain tasked with overseeing the regulations and policies that govern the country’s workforce. Its responsibilities span a wide range of functions, including ensuring that employers adhere to labour laws, protecting workers’ rights, regulating the recruitment process, and enforcing residency laws. LMRA plays a pivotal role in curbing illegal labour practices and ensuring that the Kingdom’s job market remains competitive, fair, and secure.
Overview of the Recent LMRA Inspection Campaigns
From June 22 to June 28, 2025, LMRA conducted an intensive inspection campaign, culminating in 741 inspections across various sectors. The inspection campaign focused on ensuring compliance with labour laws and residency regulations, with a particular emphasis on identifying illegal workers and preventing violations related to the employment of foreign nationals without the proper legal framework.
The inspection process was comprehensive, involving not only routine inspections of businesses and establishments but also joint operations with other governmental entities. During this period, LMRA inspectors uncovered 19 illegal workers and successfully deported 139 violators of the country’s labour and residency laws. This crackdown highlights LMRA’s proactive approach in identifying and addressing violations before they escalate.
Key Findings from the June 2025 Inspection Campaign
LMRA inspectors conducted a total of 729 standalone inspections across various businesses and establishments located in Bahrain’s different governorates. Additionally, 12 coordinated campaigns were held across the country. These campaigns took place in the following regions:
- Capital Governorate: 2 campaigns
- Muharraq Governorate: 2 campaigns
- Northern Governorate: 3 campaigns
- Southern Governorate: 5 campaigns
These efforts were part of a concerted strategy to combat illegal labour practices that could harm Bahrain’s economic stability and social well-being.
Collaboration with Government Entities
The success of the LMRA inspection campaigns is attributed to the effective coordination with various governmental agencies. Some of the key participants in these operations included:
- Ministry of Interior: Represented by the Nationality, Passports, and Residence Affairs (NPRA), which ensures that all workers are legally documented and residing in Bahrain under appropriate visas.
- Police Directorate: Local police authorities worked alongside LMRA teams to enforce laws and take immediate action against violators.
- Coast Guard Headquarters: Involved in inspections related to maritime and offshore labour regulations.
- Social Insurance Organization: Ensured that workers were enrolled in the appropriate social insurance schemes as mandated by Bahraini law.
- Supreme Council for Environment: Played a role in addressing violations related to environmental regulations in industries that have a significant environmental impact.
By working together, these entities created a unified front against unlawful labour practices and violations of residency regulations.
Focus on Violations and Legal Action
During the inspection period, LMRA identified several violations related to both the Labour Market Regulatory Authority Law and Residency Laws. These laws are designed to ensure that all workers in Bahrain are employed legally and protected under the national regulations. Violations can include working without proper permits, employing foreign nationals without valid residency status, and failing to register workers with the relevant authorities.
In response to these violations, legal action was taken against all offenders. This underscores the LMRA’s commitment to ensuring that all labour practices in Bahrain align with the country’s stringent laws, which are designed to protect workers, employers, and the nation’s social and economic framework.
Increasing Efforts for Future Inspections
LMRA has reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to working closely with government agencies and law enforcement to intensify future inspection campaigns. These efforts will continue to target industries where violations are more likely to occur and where there is an increased risk of illegal labour practices.
The regulatory authority’s focus is not only on detecting and deporting illegal workers but also on tackling the root causes of such violations. By conducting regular inspections, LMRA aims to ensure that businesses comply with all relevant regulations, thereby safeguarding the overall stability and competitiveness of Bahrain’s labour market.
Importance of Public Participation
The success of the LMRA’s campaigns hinges on the cooperation of the public. LMRA has made it clear that it welcomes community involvement in identifying and reporting illegal labour practices. The authority encourages members of the public to report any suspicious activities via its electronic form on the LMRA website, or by calling the LMRA Call Centre at 17506055. Additionally, individuals can also report violations through Bahrain’s Suggestions and Complaints System (Tawasul), a platform designed to facilitate communication between the public and government agencies.
By fostering collaboration between the government and the public, LMRA aims to create a more transparent and effective system for addressing violations.
Impact on Bahrain Economy and Labour Market
The ongoing efforts by LMRA to regulate the labour market have far-reaching implications for Bahrain’s economic and social stability. By clamping down on illegal employment practices, LMRA helps create a level playing field for businesses, ensuring that companies that comply with the law are not undercut by those that exploit undocumented workers.
Moreover, these inspections help protect Bahraini workers from exploitation, as illegal labour practices often involve low wages, unsafe working conditions, and limited social protections. The authority’s continued vigilance is crucial for maintaining the country’s competitiveness and ensuring that the workforce is treated fairly and in accordance with the law.
Conclusion
LMRA recent inspection campaigns are a testament to the authority’s commitment to upholding Bahrain’s labour laws and residency regulations. By collaborating with various government agencies and engaging with the public, LMRA is actively working to ensure that Bahrain’s labour market remains fair, stable, and secure. The authority’s actions also send a clear message to businesses operating in Bahrain—compliance with labour and residency laws is non-negotiable.