Indian Embassy Sets Strict Rules For Housemaids In Bahrain To Protect Workers
As of August 31, 2026, in Manama, the Indian Embassy in Bahrain has established a comprehensive checklist for the recruitment of Indian housemaids to ensure worker safety, secure salary payments, and provide a framework for diplomatic intervention when necessary. The current regulations apply specifically to the attestation of employment contracts and the recruitment process for Indian domestic workers.
- Housemaids must be at least 30 years old, aligning with India's emigration policy for ECR-category female workers.
- Employers must provide a valid work permit, visa/NOC, CPR copy, passport copies, and employment agreement forms.
- Employers must meet minimum salary requirements and provide a US$2,500 bank guarantee.
- Employers must provide the worker with a mobile phone and SIM card at their own expense.
Required Documents And Age Limit
Under these requirements, housemaids must be at least 30 years old, aligning with India's emigration policy for ECR-category female workers. Employers are mandated to provide a valid work permit issued by the Bahrain Ministry of Labour, which must be submitted alongside a visa/NOC, the employer’s CPR copy, passport copies for both parties, and the prescribed employment agreement forms. Informal arrangements via WhatsApp, private agents, or cash transactions without a valid work permit are explicitly cautioned against.
Financial Rules And Bank Guarantee
Financial requirements dictate that if the sponsor is an employee, they must prove a minimum monthly salary of BD 1,000, supported by salary slips and the last three months of bank statements. Businessmen must provide a copy of their Commercial Registration and a latest bank statement. Furthermore, the employer is responsible for depositing a US$2,500 bank guarantee from a Bahraini national bank. This guarantee is not a recruitment fee to be charged to the worker; it remains held until the worker departs, contingent upon a statement provided to the Embassy confirming that all salaries were paid and no harassment occurred.
Communication And Safe Travel
Employers are also obligated to provide the worker with a mobile phone and SIM card at their own expense to ensure communication access for emergencies, family contact, or reporting disputes to the Community Welfare Wing. Workers are advised to use registered recruiting agents and verify all employment details, including salary, working hours, and medical coverage, via the eMigrate system before traveling. The Embassy warns that any agent requesting a worker to pay for the US$2,500 bank guarantee is operating outside of these official compliance rules.