PH Embassy in Manama Conducts Forum on Flexi Visa
MANAMA 18 October 2018 — To provide Filipinos in Bahrain more information on the flexi visa, the Philippine Embassy in Manama in cooperation with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), organized a Forum on Flexi Visa at the Swiss International Hotel in Gudaibiya, Bahrain on 05 October 2018. Around 200 members of the Filipino community attended the Forum.
Ambassador to Manama Alfonso A. Ver welcomed the participants and acknowledged the presence of LMRA CEO Ausamah Al Absi and the officers and staff of the LMRA. He congratulated Mr. Al Absi for Bahrain’s promotion to Tier 1 in the U.S. Department of State 2018 Trafficking in Persons (TiP) Report, which affirms the Kingdom’s commitment to deal with trafficking and exploitation.
Ambassador Ver stated that a total of 1,300 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Bahrain are eligible to apply for a Flexi Visa according to a list provided by the LMRA. Ambassador Ver expressed hope that those qualified to apply for the Flexi Visa will take this opportunity to legalize their status in Bahrain.
He explained that the Philippine Government will shoulder the Flexi Visa application fee (BHD 449), first monthly fee (BHD 35), and second monthly fee (BHD 30) or a total of BHD 514 per applicant.
LMRA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Ausamah Al Absi was the resource speakers of the Forum.
LMRA’s CEO Ausamah Al Absi explained that Bahrain’s Flexible Work Permit or the “Blue Card” is a new type of work permit that allows illegal workers, who meet certain conditions, to work and reside in Bahrain without a sponsor, in any non-professional job, full or part-time, and with one or more employers.
He further explained that holders of the flexi visa will benefit from free health care at government centers, and that they will also be able to leave and return to Bahrain on a regular basis during the work visa’s validity period. Moreover, monthly fees may be paid through any branch of the Bahrain Financing Company (BFC), a company that provides Money Transfer and Currency Exchange services.
Mr. Al Absi also responded to queries posed by members of the Filipino community, ranging from the advantages and disadvantages of having the flexi work permit, application procedure, requirements, and fees. END
For more information, visit www.manamape.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinBahrain
Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain Alfonso A. Ver welcomed the participants and acknowledged the presence of LMRA CEO Ausamah Al Absi and the officers and staff of the LMRA. (Manama PE photo)
The resource speaker at the forum Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ausamah Al Absi of Bahrain’s Labour Market Authority (LMRA) and Chairman of the National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Persons. (Manama PE photo)