Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
THE amnesty for illegal workers, which was scheduled to end this week, has been extended until January 31.
The extension was approved at the weekly Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
This is to allow more illegal workers to either leave the country without paying penalties or to legalise their stay.
Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) chief executive Ali Radhi thanked the Cabinet for approving its recommendation which was presented by Labour Minister and LMRA chairman Dr Majeed Al Alawi.
"This will give a chance to workers with court cases against them and who have some issues with the employers to sort it out and leave the country safely," Mr Radhi said.
"Under the amnesty, which started on August 1, the immigration department has already processed 12,000 applications of those who want to leave Bahrain without paying penalties. The majority of them have already left the country.
"About 22,000 others have legalised their stay through the Labour Ministry."
Mr Radhi thanked various government departments, the embassies and community organisations which helped the illegal workers to benefit from the amnesty.
"We believe that 80 per cent of the illegal workers have already benefited from the amnesty," he added.
"The one-month extension is to help the remaining 20 per cent. However, we do not want anyone to work illegally during this period.
"We shall launch an inspection campaign next week to ensure that no one is working in Bahrain illegally."
