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Bahrain is set to become the first country in the GCC to introduce complete freedom of movement between jobs for expatriates, and unemployment benefits for those out of work, according to a report in the ConstructionWeek online website.
Minister of Labour HE Dr Majeed Al Alawi said that workers would enjoy the same freedoms as Bahraini nationals when the law comes into effect in three months.
“It will virtually break the sponsorship system and allow free movement of expatriate workers between jobs,” he told the construction web portal. “It represents a major shift in labour policy for this region,” he added.
Dr Al Alawi said that the labour reforms, which he believes will provide a blueprint for other GCC states to follow, have been secured in the teeth of considerable opposition from employers.
However, the Minister believes that a free labour market will encourage companies to compete for the best talent, leading to better business practices that will benefit employers and employees.
“Workers will have the option to go to the employers where they will be treated better and paid better,” he said.
Employers will be protected by contract law. To move jobs, workers will have to give appropriate notice and fulfil their obligations under their contracts, the Minister explained.
A fledgling unemployment benefit system will also be rolled out when the new bill becomes law. Dr Alawi said that people losing their jobs would receive benefits for up to one month while they look for a new job, but he did not provide details about how the system would be administered or how much money people would receive.
