In August 2026, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) of Bahrain intensified efforts to ensure compliance with labour and residency laws, conducting 3,152 inspection campaigns and visits. These operations resulted in the detention of 77 irregular workers and the deportation of 543 violators.
- Conducted 3,152 inspection campaigns and visits in August 2026.
- Detained 77 irregular workers and deported 543 violators.
- Covered 2,973 commercial establishments and 179 joint campaigns across all governorates.
- Indian nationals form the largest expatriate community in Bahrain with 315,427 people as of January 2026.
The enforcement effort included 2,973 inspections of commercial establishments and 179 joint campaigns across various governorates: 93 in Capital, 27 in Muharraq, 27 in Northern, and 32 in Southern. These joint operations involved multiple agencies, including the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), police directorates, Crime Detection and Forensic Science, Civil Defence, and various ministries.
Indian Expatriate Community and Deportation Context
As of January 2026, there are 315,427 Indian nationals in Bahrain, the largest expatriate community, with approximately two-thirds classified as skilled or semi-skilled laborers. Of this population, 200,000 are from Kerala, 50,000 from Tamil Nadu, 40,000 from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, 25,000 from Karnataka, and the remainder from other Indian states. While the LMRA has not specified the nationalities of those deported in August, the high number of Indian nationals makes compliance critical for the community.
The LMRA emphasizes that
expatriate workers must hold a valid work permit and work only for the employer and authorized job specified in their permit. Engaging in employment on a visit or family visa is illegal, and workers are warned against informal arrangements. Furthermore, the LMRA cautions workers that
recruitment and permit fees are the responsibility of the employer; paying for a permit is prohibited. Workers must ensure their workplace and duties align with their permit details. For reporting labour violations, the LMRA operates a call centre at 17506055 and a 24/7 multilingual hotline at 995 for worker protection issues. Indian nationals requiring assistance with labour disputes, salary issues, or harassment can contact the Embassy of India, Bahrain, at +973 17180529, or reach their 24/7 emergency line at +973 39418071.
