Latest news with #SocialInsuranceOrganisation
Daily Tribune
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Most Expat Workers in Bahrain Earn Less Than BD200, New Report Reveals
TDT | Manama A recent report by the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO) has shed light on a growing income gap between expatriates and Bahraini workers in the private sector, revealing that the vast majority of foreign workers earn less than BD200 a month. According to the data, only 4% of expats earn over BD1,000 per month—compared to 21% of Bahrainis. This is despite expatriates outnumbering locals by more than three to one in the private sector. By the end of the first quarter of 2025, there were 470,145 insured expat workers, yet 71% of them—roughly 332,270 people—earned under BD200 a month. In comparison, just 2% of Bahrainis (2,142 people) were in that same lowest income bracket. Interestingly, women made up the majority of that Bahraini group, with 1,659 women versus 483 men. The next largest group of expat workers earned between BD200 and BD399, accounting for 14% of the total. This income group included over 64,000 expats, with men making up nearly 80% of them. Among Bahrainis, about a third fell into this income category. As salaries climbed up the scale, the number of expatriates steadily declined. Around 8% of expats earned between BD400 and BD599, while only 2% made between BD600 and BD799. At the higher end—BD800 to BD999—just 1% of expats were recorded, in contrast to 8% of Bahrainis. The top income bracket—over BD1,000 per month—included 20,431 non-Bahrainis and 22,790 Bahrainis. Gender Divide Still Strong The report also highlighted a sharp gender divide. Of the total insured expat workforce, a significant 89.6% were men (421,722), and only 11.5% were women. Among Bahrainis, however, women made up the majority (56.3%) of the insured workforce, with 37,636 women compared to 66,822 men. The Wage Gap in Numbers When it comes to overall averages, Bahraini workers earned an average of BD881 per month, while expats averaged just BD271. The highest-paid Bahrainis were those aged 60 and above, earning BD1,732 on average. Among expats, the top earners were in the 50–59 age group, with an average salary of BD664.
Daily Tribune
03-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Higher payouts
Public sector retirees paid 59% more than private counterparts Nearly a quarter of all monthly pensions paid in Bahrain now go to the families of deceased retirees, according to new figures, while those who spent their working lives in the public sector receive markedly higher payouts than their private-sector counterparts. The Social Insurance Organisation's report, published for the first quarter of 2025, puts the total number of pension recipients at 109,885. Of these, 84,862 are living pensioners, making up 77 per cent. The remaining 25,023 are surviving dependants, including widows, children, parents, siblings and grandchildren. The average pension for a living retiree stands at BD825, but behind that number lies a clear gap. Average Former government employees draw an average of BD1,046 a month, compared to 657 for those who retired from private firms. Although payouts are lower in the private sector, it accounts for the majority of retirees. A total of 48,254 former employees from private companies receive monthly pensions, making up 57 per cent of the total. The public sector accounts for 36,608. Among the dependants receiving monthly support, children form the largest group. There are 11,746 child beneficiaries receiving an average of BD337. Widows follow with 10,345 receiving 471. Dependants The remaining dependants include parents, siblings and grandchildren. Their number stands at 2,932, with average monthly support of BD192. Retirees are most commonly in their sixties. Thirty per cent fall into the 60 to 69 age range. Those in their fifties make up 29 per cent, followed by 24 per cent in their forties. These figures suggest a steady intake of new pensioners, many of them close to or just reaching retirement age. Majority Men make up the majority of pensioners in the private sector. They account for 67 per cent, while women account for 33 per cent. In the public sector, the split is less stark. Men form 58 per cent of that group, women 42 per cent. Differences These proportions point to differences in employment patterns, career length and earnings before retirement. P ension amounts vary widely. Around 26 per cent of recipients receive over BD1,000 a month. Another 26 per cent fall within the 400 to 599 range. A further 24 per cent receive between 200 and 399.
Zawya
01-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Bahrain: 139 more deported in LMRA clampdown
Bahrain - A total of 741 inspection visits and joint campaigns were held over the past week as part of a major national campaign to stamp out labour and residency violations. According to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), 729 inspection visits were held from June 22 to 28 in addition to 12 joint campaigns, leading to the identification of 19 irregular workers and the deportation of 139 expats. The joint inspections were held in co-operation with the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), the respective governorate's police directorate, the Coastguard, the Social Insurance Organisation and the Supreme Council for Environment. Campaigns This time around, most of the joint campaigns were focused on the Southern Governorate with five, followed by the Northern Governorate (three), and the Capital Governorate and Muharraq Governorate (two each). Since January last year, 81,795 inspection visits and 1,151 joint campaigns have been conducted, resulting in the identification of 3,226 violations and the deportation of 9,631 irregular workers. LMRA affirmed that it will continue to co-ordinate with government agencies to intensify inspection campaigns in all the governorates of the kingdom. It also reiterated its commitment to address any violations or practices that negatively affect the stability and competitiveness of the labour market or harm the country's economic and social security. People are being urged to report illegal labour practices and violations via the website by calling 17506055 or via the government's suggestions and complaints system, Tawasul. In recent years, Bahrain has enforced tough new regulations to prevent the misuse of tourist visas and to ensure those seeking employment arrive with proper work permits issued by their employers. These measures also aim to provide job opportunities for Bahrainis and reduce unemployment by supporting citizens as the first choice for employers. LMRA chief executive Nibras Talib earlier told MPs that the introduction of the new rules has had a huge impact, with the incidence of tourist or visit visas being converted into work permits dropping by more than 87 per cent. Under the new rules, a visit visa can no longer be converted into a work or dependent visa without a sponsor. However, visit visas with a sponsor can be transferred to a work or dependent visa for a revised fee of BD250, instead of the previous BD60, only if it is for the same sponsor. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Biz Bahrain
29-06-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
SIO launches new website to support digital transformation
The Social Insurance Organisation (SIO) has launched its new website ( in line with the government's programme and Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, aimed at enhancing public service quality and improving efficiency in meeting the needs of citizens and residents. Sahar Rashid Al Mannai, Chief Executive Officer of the SIO, said the new website is a key step in the organisation's digital transformation strategy. She noted that the platform offers an improved and integrated user experience that makes it easier to access insurance related information and services. The redesigned website features a modern layout reflecting the SIO's corporate identity. It includes structured content on electronic services, relevant laws and regulations, a list of frequently asked questions, a library of guides and instructional videos, a media centre, and up to date statistics. The platform also includes inclusive accessibility tools to accommodate all segments of society, including persons with disabilities, in line with international standards for safe and inclusive digital access. Al Mannai concluded that the new platform represents a significant milestone in the organisation's institutional development, reinforcing its commitment to delivering flexible, secure, and transparent digital services. It also strengthens the SIO's role in Bahrain's social protection system and sustainable development efforts, with continued progress toward full digitalisation and service automation. BNA(R)
Daily Tribune
25-06-2025
- Daily Tribune
Family faces trial for Tamkeen fraud
A mother, her four sons and five others are facing trial over claims they took more than BD230,000 from Tamkeen and the Social Insurance Organisation by filing fake job contracts and pay slips. Six of the eleven accused appeared before the First High Criminal Court. The second defendant, who is in custody, was brought in. His brother, the first defendant, was not produced from prison. Three others failed to attend and will be summoned again. The remaining five, all out on bail, stood before the court and denied the charges. Defence lawyers, including Reem Al Mahhari and Zahra Hussain, asked for copies of the case file and time to reply. The court set 8 July to have the first defendant brought from prison and for fresh summons to be issued to the three absentees. The defence will also be expected to respond at the same hearing. Prosecutors said the first and second defendants submitted forged contracts through online portals run by Tamkeen and the Social Insurance Organisation. The forms claimed they had hired a number of staff to companies that did not exist, complete with invented roles and salaries. Those papers were then used to add and remove names from the insurance system and to make claims for one-off retirement payouts and pensions. The same details were later used in wage support requests to Tamkeen.
