The Daily Tribune, 16 June 2025: A draft amendment to Bahrain’s labour legislation has proposed instituting a fixed cap on work permits issuance, currently under review.

Bahrain is contemplating a significant modification to its labour law aimed at standardising the issue of work permits. The proposal, originally submitted by MPs from the elected chamber, calls for the establishment of a cap on the number of work permits that can be issued by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), subject to specification in the national plan. This marks a transition from discretionary authority to a mandated limit by the Labour Ministry, which would be applicable to all sectors and types of work.

The crux of the debate focused on whether instituting a fixed limit would promote market regulation or introduce unwarranted constraints. Committee members have been considering hypothetical scenarios on the operational impact of these limits and their potential effects on existing permit management processes.

The move would require parties involved—including the Labour Ministry and LMRA—to adhere to the prescribed cap upon approval, with immediate effect once incorporated into the legal framework.

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