Bahrain Court Confirms Three-Year Deportation for Unauthorized Hourly Domestic Work
MANAMA, September 10, 2026: The Bahrain Court of Cassation has upheld a ruling against a foreign national, confirming a BD10 fine and a three-year deportation order for performing hourly domestic work without a valid work permit. The case originated from an investigation by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), which monitored Instagram advertisements offering cleaning services. Following an inspection, the woman was found working without the required permit. While the defense argued there was insufficient evidence and criticized the initial court ruling, the Court of Cassation dismissed the appeal, citing the LMRA violation report and the woman's own statements during the investigation as sufficient grounds for conviction.
- Foreign national receives BD10 fine and three-year deportation for unauthorized hourly work.
- LMRA tracked cleaning services advertised on Instagram.
- Court dismissed defense appeals based on official violation reports and personal statements.
Risks of Social Media Hiring
This legal precedent highlights significant risks for residents utilizing social media platforms like WhatsApp or Instagram to hire informal domestic help. Under Bahraini law, hiring domestic workers on an hourly, weekly, or monthly basis is only legal if conducted through LMRA-licensed labour supply agencies. The LMRA regularly updates its list of approved agencies, and citizens and residents are advised to verify the commercial credentials of any provider before booking services.
Employment Permit Violations
Authorities emphasize that performing labor outside the scope of one's specific employment permit, including work for different employers or unauthorized part-time assignments, constitutes a violation. Even if an expatriate possesses a residence visa, they must adhere to the conditions of their authorized employment arrangement. Working on a visit visa or without a valid work permit is strictly prohibited.
Warning for Expatriate Communities
For the Indian community and other expatriate groups in Bahrain, this ruling serves as a practical warning. Families are urged to request the commercial name of an agency and verify its status via the official LMRA website. Red flags include agents who only use personal social media profiles, fail to provide proper invoices, or request payment into private accounts. Expatriate workers are encouraged to use the LMRA Expat Portal to check the validity of their work status and employer details. The LMRA continues to combat unlicensed manpower supply, which often involves workers with irregular employment status, and has directed the public to report violations to their call center at 17506055.