Shura reviews 30-day grace period for work permit renewals
A 30-day window to renew expat work permits and a cap on how many can be issued has been proposed during a review by the Shura Council's Services Committee.
The committee, chaired by Dr Jameela Mohamed Redha Al Salman, met yesterday to discuss two amendments to Bahrain's 2006 law on labour market regulation.
Present at the meeting were Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) Chief Executive Nibras Mohamed Talib and Labour Ministry Labour Relations Director Mai Hassan Al Asmi, along with senior staff from both bodies.
One proposal seeks to give employers an extra month to renew work permits without facing penalties.
As things stand, failure to renew on time means sanctions under Article 36 of the law.
The second proposal calls for the national labour market plan to set a fixed upper limit on the number of permits granted by the LMRA.
Current wording leaves that decision open-ended.
Also on the table was a draft law to regulate artistic professions.
The proposal, submitted by members Nancy Deena Elly Khedouri, Dalal Al Zayed, Khalid Al Maskati, Redha Faraj and Dr Mohamed Al Khozaie, would require anyone working in the arts to obtain a licence from the minister.
The draft sets out a plan to issue professional cards to Bahraini artists, giving them access to certain benefits.
It also includes the creation of a fund to support artistic work and provide backing for artists in the country.
The draft further calls for stronger legal cover for those working in the arts, aiming to treat the field as a recognised line of work.
It includes provisions for financial and social backing for Bahraini artists and refers to the arts as part of Bahrain's cultural identity.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Biz Bahrain
2 hours ago
- Biz Bahrain
'Design Your Future' Campaign Announces Ninth Edition of the Annual Business Quiz Show and Opens Registration for Companies and Banks
The 'Design Your Future' campaign has announced the launch of the ninth edition of its Annual Business Quiz Show, scheduled to take place on 24 August 2025. This announcement coincides with the beginning of the campaign's second edition, launched in strategic partnership with Mastercard, the official knowledge partner for this edition. The Design Your Future initiative is designed to support high school graduates, university students, and vocational training participants in adopting a structured and proactive approach to career planning and development. The Business Quiz Show forms an integral part of the campaign's broader objective to develop and highlight Bahraini talent across key national economic sectors. Participating companies and institutions will engage in quiz-based challenges designed to assess their industry knowledge and analytical skills in areas critical to Bahrain's positioning as a regional business and innovation hub. Registration is currently open for companies and corporates wishing to participate. This year's edition will take place over five evenings, with university students joining company teams to foster collaboration between emerging talents and business professionals. Each evening will focus on a specific sector, where four teams will compete in knowledge-driven rounds covering topics related to Bahrain's economic landscape and sector-specific developments. The sectors featured in this edition include banking, insurance, industry, and general business. Winners from each sector will advance to the final round, which is scheduled for 28 August 2025. Ms. Zahraa Taher, Chairperson of the Advisory Committee of the 'Design Your Future' campaign, stated: 'The Annual Business Quiz Show offers a unique opportunity for university students to engage with leading professionals from Bahrain's foremost companies. This initiative continues to highlight national competencies and provides a platform for future leaders to demonstrate their potential.' The second edition of the Design Your Future campaign will feature a range of exciting programmers and events, including the DYF Business Quiz Show, the DYF Podcast, a host of high-level workshops, and the Skills Hunt event, fostering teamwork, skill-building, and professional growth. The campaign is supported by Mastercard as the knowledge partner, in collaboration with members of the Advisory Committee, including representatives from the Higher Education Council, INJAZ Bahrain, Tamkeen, Lamea Association, and certified professionals in career development and skills training. This collective effort contributes to the overall impact and quality of the campaign, helping participants align their aspirations with the evolving requirements of the labour market. For more information on how to get involved or support DYF's initiatives, please contact [email protected]
Gulf Insider
14 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
Bahrain Wins First Place In Huawei ICT Global Finals
The Kingdom of Bahrain has achieved outstanding success in the global finals of the Huawei ICT Competition 2024 – 2025, with a joint team from Bahrain Polytechnic and the University of Bahrain securing first place in the Network Track of the competition held in Shenzhen, People's Republic of China. This achievement came after the Bahraini team competed against 40 teams from six global regions in the Practice Network Track, reflecting Bahrain's leadership in developing national talent in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the international level. The competition featured participation from teams representing Iraq, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan, across multiple tracks including Network, Cloud, Computing, and Innovation. This achievement underscores the distinguished position of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the ICT sector and its commitment to nurturing and empowering national competencies to contribute to technological and innovative advancement both regionally and globally. On this occasion, Bahrain Polytechnic celebrated the outstanding achievement of its students, Mohammed AlKoofi and Sara Jawad, who were part of the Bahraini team that won first place in the Network Track of the Huawei ICT Competition 2024 – 2025 Global Finals. Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, CEO of Bahrain Polytechnic, received the participating students and expressed his pride in their success, which reflects the high caliber of Polytechnic students and the institution's practical learning approach. He emphasised that this achievement is a clear testament to the ability of young Bahraini talents to compete and excel at the international level. Professor Ó Catháin said: 'Our students' victory in a global competition of this caliber is a testament to the quality of education at Bahrain Polytechnic and the capabilities of our youth. This success highlights our strategic focus on equipping students with the technical and professional skills required to lead in the digital age. Through strong partnerships with industry leaders like Huawei, we are creating real-world learning opportunities that prepare our students for impactful careers.' Harry Yu, CEO of Huawei Bahrain, also congratulated the students, noting: 'This achievement reflects Huawei's firm commitment to developing local ICT talent in Bahrain through strategic partnerships with leading educational institutions. We continue to provide platforms that allow young people to gain hands-on experience and exposure to cutting-edge technologies.' During the closing ceremony in Shenzhen, Ritchie Peng, Director of ICT Strategy & Business Development at Huawei, emphasized the strategic importance of the competition. He noted that it aligns with Huawei's Intelligent World 2030 vision, encouraging students to master advanced technologies such as cloud computing, big data, and AI to address real-world challenges in areas like agriculture, healthcare, and education. Bahrain Polytechnic remains committed to advancing applied education and digital skills development through immersive industry experiences and collaborative learning. This achievement marks another milestone in the institution's mission to empower students as innovators and leaders in the tech-driven future. Source Bahrain News Agency
Daily Tribune
16 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
'Habibi, this is Bahrain,' says Talajić
TDT | Manama Bahrain's defining clash vs Saudi Arabia in 2026 qualifiers, tomorrow at 7PM Stād Al Bahrain Al Watanī (Bahrain National Stadium) in Riffa braces for a make-or-break match as Bahrain takes on Saudi Arabia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifiers. After a goalless draw in Jeddah in October, both sides step onto the pitch knowing that three points could shift the trajectory of their campaigns. Do-or-Die Tomorrow's game is Bahrain's final home fixture in the third round of Asian qualifiers, a stage where every result carries monumental weight. With Japan already qualified from Group C and Australia firmly in contention, the fight for third and fourth positions that offer a lifeline to the next round has intensified. Bahrain, currently fifth with six points, faces a Saudi side sitting third with 10. The margins are tight, and the outcome in Riffa could prove decisive. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation. Entry for Bahraini fans in the general stands is free, a gesture from the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) to pack the stadium with vocal support. VIP tickets, priced at BD20, and Category One tickets for Saudi supporters remain available. Preparation has been meticulous for Bahrain, guided by Croatian head coach Dragan Talajić. The squad has honed its tactics over recent weeks, culminating in a final training session last night at the National Stadium. Adding to the momentum, BFA Vice President Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Isa Al Khalifa visited the team on Monday at Shaikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium in Arad, offering encouragement that echoed through the camp. Talajić has instilled a sense of purpose in his players, applying tactical discipline with an understanding of the occasion. The team's resolve was evident in their last outing against Saudi Arabia, where they held strong defensively. Tomorrow, they'll need to be brave going forward and take the game to Hervé Renard's men. Voices from the Camp Talajić's pre-match press conference offered insight into his approach. "Big game is coming up against our big brothers, Saudi Arabia. Very difficult game for both of us, not just us, also them. They have great players, great coach, but habibi, they are coming to Bahrain," he said, acknowledging the quality of the opposition while subtly playing up the home advantage. His confidence was loud and clear: "We are in a situation where everything is in our hands, and I promise we will fight for our Kingdom." The coach reflected on past missteps: "I made some mistakes" but quickly pivoted to ambition. "We are aiming to win all the six points that are left, and I am proud of my players," he added. With Eid approaching, Talajić sees a win as a gift to the fans: "We want to celebrate together. We are Bahraini, we're always winners." Striker Mehdi Abduljabbar echoed this optimism. "We're going into the match with a positive attitude for the win. Our fans are hoping for a positive outcome, and we're going to do everything in our power to make them happy," he said. His belief in the team's potential was clear: "In the world of football, nothing is over." Group C Puzzle Group C has been a relentless challenge and full of twists and turns. Japan lead with an impeccable 20 points, their World Cup spot secured. Australia, with 13 points, are poised to join them. Saudi Arabia (10 points) and Indonesia (9 points) sit above Bahrain and China, both locked at six points but separated by goal difference. Tomorrow's result could reshape the standings, with third and fourth place offering passage to a fourth round group stage. There, group winners qualify directly, while runners-up face a playoff route to the global finals. Bahrain's path is narrow but not impassable. Victory over Saudi Arabia, followed by a result against China in Chongqing next Tuesday, could put them in contention. The numbers tell a story of struggle, but football thrives on moments of defiance. Fans' Role in the Fight The Bahraini faithful will be the heartbeat of tomorrow's effort. Free entry ensures a sea of red and white, a visual and vocal force that Talajić and his players are counting on. Abduljabbar highlighted their impact: "We know our fans will be there backing us from the opening whistle, and it will push us." The team's final home stand in this round carries an emotional weight and a chance to unite a nation in celebration before the Eid holidays. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, comes in with World Cup pedigree and purpose, and a win would solidify their grip on a qualification spot. But playing in Riffa, against a Bahrain side fuelled by desperation and home support, presents a tough challenge. One Last Push Tomorrow's 7PM kickoff is a testament to Bahrain's footballing spirit. The stakes are clear: a win keeps the World Cup dream flickering; a loss dims it significantly. They will also be keeping a close eye on Indonesia's clash with China at 4:45PM, as the result could have a direct impact on Bahrain's path in Group C. Talajić's men have prepared, the fans are ready, and the stage is set. Bahrain will be hoping to draw confidence from their 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia last December in the Gulf Cup and channel that belief into this qualifier. In a group led by giants like Japan and Australia, this match gives Bahrain a chance to shape their own narrative and keep the dream of a first-ever World Cup qualification alive.
