In contemporary Bahrain, the employment of domestic help like housemaids, nannies, or cooks is not unusual, as it is the main source of support that keeps many families going. Many Bahraini and expatriate households employ domestic staff to help manage their busy lives, as more families now have two incomes.
However, this process involves several legal steps and moral obligations, of which every desired employer should find the time to understand and give due consideration in order to create a positive, smooth, compliant, and overall good hiring experience.
Why Hire Domestic Workers in Bahrain?
Domestic helpers are the main support of family life in Bahrain, as these workers are normally the ones who help the families with house cleaning, cooking, taking care of children, elderly care, and other daily activities.
One reason why families decide to hire these aides is to be able to live a positive life, to be able to handle both work and family life, and to solve certain problems, such as when there is a need for a person who speaks several languages to take care of a child or if there are specific dietary requirements.
Key Legal Requirements: Bahrain’s Domestic Worker Laws
Bahrain, along with the rest of the GCC, regulates the recruitment of domestic workers through an efficient legal regime that protects workers and employers alike. The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) is responsible for work permits and sponsorship for domestic workers. These are some of the key things to be aware of:
Work Permits and Sponsorship: Any domestic worker should have a legitimate work permit (visa), and the sponsorship must be done through the LMRA, either by the family employing the worker or a licensed agency.
Contract Requirements: According to the law, it is a requirement that all contracts be in writing and should clearly indicate the duties of the worker, the working hours during which the worker will be engaged, the salary that the worker will receive and the pro-rata entitlements for leave. Every contract must be a document either in Arabic or have a legally certified Arabic translation.
Health Checks and Records: A medical certificate from an approved physician or provider (Wafid) is required. The status of the worker’s passport and absence of a criminal record are also required.
Salary and Benefits: Salaries should be determined according to the law of the country. They should be given on time and at regular intervals. The annual leave should be at least 30 days. To make employment terms and working conditions more transparent, Bahrain is moving towards the introduction of standard contract models for domestic workers.
Step By Step: Guide on Employing a Foreign Domestic Worker in Bahrain
1. Determine Your Needs:
First of all, decide which one of the four you need assistance with – a nanny, a housekeeper, a driver, or a multi-tasking assistant – and then draft a detailed jobdescription.
2. Choose an Authorised Method to Hire Your Domestic Worker:
Use a licensed and approved recruitment agency that is LMRA registered, or if possible and applicable, transfer a current domestic worker in Bahrain if eligible.
3. File LMRA Application:
You’ll need to create an account on the LMRA’s portal. You’ll need to submit proof of income, a tenancy agreement, details about your family, and other documentation. The fees will need to be paid (e.g., BHD 30 initial application fee in 2025).
4. Legal Verification and Medical Checks:
Workers will need health checks and undergo fingerprinting. Background checks and security clearances may also take place.
5. Obtain Permit and Prepare Employment Agreement:
Once the permit has been issued – usually within 6-8 weeks – the written agreement should be completed and signed. Definitely include the parts where each party is responsible, the working hours (most of the time a maximum of 8 hours per day, or 48 hours in a week), rest days (at least one a week), and the conditions for accommodation and meals.
6. Orientation and Integration:
Give a new worker a clear idea of what life is like at your home, talk about the expectations and cultural norms, and also include a conversation about personal space so that the employees who are new to your home can get adjusted.
Best Practices for an Ethical and Successful Domestic Hire
- Respect workers and require that their privacy and rights be respected.
- Ensure that wages are paid on time and the contract terms are fully honoured.
- Provide the employee with constructive feedback and acknowledge their good work.
- Have patience with differences in language and culture: language translation apps can assist you, and openness in communication will facilitate both parties’ understanding.
- Provide workers with clear instructions on how to file a complaint, and, if needed, provide them with the means to contact embassies or local authorities.
Challenges and Solutions
Language Barriers:
Where communication gaps exist, misunderstandings can develop and eventually be reflected in job responsibilities, daily tasks, and the working environment. To ensure that their expectations are understood clearly, employers may consider hiring only domestic workers who speak the same language or, at a minimum, providing some basic language instruction.
A different option could be allowing the worker to install an app on their phone that can translate languages, for instance, Google Translate, and use it during the first period of getting used to the new environment to make communication more comfortable.
Cultural Dissimilarities:
Sometimes, the nannies, the cooks or, generally, the helpers in our homes have come from different worlds or even different planets, metaphorically speaking, and their values and traditions may be radically different from those of the family they work for.
There is certainly no guarantee that conflicts will not arise; nevertheless, an employer can be a great help in diffusing them and in building a peaceful setting if he/she takes the trouble of explaining to his/her domestic worker some local customs, household rules and cultural norms in a brief chat, provided that he/she also exhibits the needed patience and respect.
Delays Due To Processes:
Finding someone to work in your home privately means that an employer has to trust a lot, which might be a bit scary. To minimise the danger, run background and reference checks on candidates before hiring through agencies that have licensed staff or are providing good and reliable employment services.
An employer may also be allowed to have a trial or probation period before a full commitment, with a focus on setting up clearly defined programs to evaluate a person’s success and whether they’re the right one for the job.
The Role of 6 Pence: Your Trusted Partner for Domestic Staffing
In Bahrain’s competitive market, it can be difficult to find trustworthy, competent, and dependable domestic helpers. 6 Pence has been providing service in the Kingdom for years, and we have a database of vetted candidates with local experience to support you through every step — from figuring out what you need to all LMRA procedures and ongoing help throughout the employment relationship.
Whether you are in the market for a maid, nanny, or driver in Bahrain’s major cities, 6 Pence provides you with clear, compliant, and custom services that consider your household’s needs.
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