Bahrain: Issues Asset Recovery and Confiscation Implementation Guide

Akhbar Al Khaleej, 8 July 2025: Bahrain Decision No. 47/2025 has been issued, releasing a guidance manual on asset recovery requests and the execution of confiscation orders.

This manual provides comprehensive procedural frameworks for retrieving assets and proceeds from crimes, accommodating both national requests and those from abroad. It includes mechanisms for executing confiscation orders from national courts and foreign judicial bodies, clarifying the roles of the involved institutions and bodies in Bahrain. It ensures conformity with relevant national laws and international conventions, particularly the UN Conventions against Corruption and Transnational Organised Crime, meeting the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The guide aims to standardise legal and procedural mechanisms for asset recovery and confiscation requests, enhance transparency and effective management of confiscated funds, and ensure respect for the rights of bona fide parties while reinforcing judicial cooperation based on bilateral and multilateral agreements.

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Bahrain: Tamkeen Unveils Updated Skills Report for Financial Sector

The Daily Tribune, 30 June 2025: The Labour Fund “Tamkeen” released an updated Financial Services Sector Skills Report under the “Skills Bahrain” initiative, in collaboration with private stakeholders, governmental bodies, and educational institutions.

The updated report reflects significant developments in Bahrain’s financial landscape, which is now a significant GDP contributor surpassing traditional oil and gas sectors, with a workforce mainly comprised of Bahraini nationals. It identifies urgent sector needs, such as advanced skills in digital transformation, cybersecurity, and data analytics, alongside with growing demand for roles like compliance officers and sustainability officers, due to the increasing emphasis on ESG practices.

The report advocates enhanced skill development strategies which will equipping the national workforce with capabilities which enable them to respond to sectoral shifts and to reinforce Bahrain’s status as a financial leader. Legal entities and associated sector participants should reflect these insights into workforce planning, and align their training and development initiatives to meet these evolving industry standards and global practices.

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Bahrain: Shura Panel Reviews Proposal to Cap Work Permits

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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Bahrain: New Human Resources Regulation to Streamline Policies

Mubasher, 19 May 2025: Bahrain Decision No. 29/2025 has been issued establishing a new framework for shared human resources services.

This regulation was proposed by the Civil Service Bureau to enhance efficiency and reduce costs in government operations, impacting government entities by standardising human resources practices, including on recruitment, promotions, transfers, and performance management. It mandates the transfer of HR personnel to the Civil Service Bureau, except for department directors, who will be transferred by the Bureau’s president in coordination with the relevant government authority.

Key provisions include the rotation of HR managers and department heads, restrictions on reassignments within the same government entity, and the delegation of HR tasks to government bodies with Bureau approval. The regulation also outlines procedures for seconding HR staff to government entities, managing their employment terms, and ensuring compliance with civil service rules.

The decision obliges government entities to manage HR-related expenses within their budgets, coordinate training and development programmes, and provide necessary resources for HR staff. It also establishes guidelines for performance evaluation, disciplinary actions, and grievance procedures.

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Bahrain: Implements New Halal Regulations

The Daily Tribune, 8 May 2025: Bahrain’s Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture has issued Bahrain Decision No. 61/2024 to regulate halal production and certification processes.

This legal framework aims to ensure that halal goods meet Islamic rules throughout all stages of preparation and sale, aligning with Bahraini product standards and GCC agreements.

The decision impacts producers and certifying bodies, requiring them to obtain halal certification from the Ministry or recognised entities. Companies must conduct regular internal checks and comply with site visits, sample testing, and production audits by Ministry inspectors to verify adherence to halal standards.

The Ministry oversees requests for halal checks and approves certifying bodies, ensuring their capability to issue certificates. Article 6 of Bahrain Decision No. 61/2024 outlines the responsibilities of these bodies, including collaboration with the Ministry and ensuring compliance by endorsed entities.

Halal audit teams are tasked with inspecting and testing food and services to ensure compliance, with penalties for non-compliance detailed in Article 13 of Bahrain Decision No. 76/2024. The initiative includes developing the Bahrain Halal Platform, an online system for verifying product certification.

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Bahrain: Parliament Approves Proposal to Cap Work Permits

Akhbar Al Khaleej, 7 May 2025: Bahrain’s Parliament approved a proposal to amend the Labour Market Regulation Law (Bahrain Law No. 19/2006), introducing a cap on the total number of work permits issued by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority.

The proposal aims to address concerns about unlicensed labour and ensure that work permits are issued based on project size and necessity, in order to protect local employment opportunities and maintaining market balance.

There has been an emphasis on the need to regulate work permit numbers, and it has been suggested permits should be aligned with project requirements. The proposal also included suggestions on using technology, such as centralised databases and GPS tracking, to monitor and manage labour movements effectively.

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