MPs propose stricter rules on expat worker street-side labour

TDT | Manama
Expat workers milling on street corners for freelance maintenance work, waiting hours, sometimes days, are in Parliament's sights as MPs push for tighter rules and greater accountability on sponsors.
A group of MPs, led by Khalid Buanaq, has put forward the plan, warning that unchecked day labour is adding strain to markets and neighbourhoods.
Their proposal points to clusters of workers, often seen waiting in the hope of securing short-term jobs in home repairs, plumbing, painting, or other manual trades.
The concern is that this not only leaves many without stable income but also raises questions about the wider effects on the community.
Daily crime rates
'This isn't just an economic issue,' the proposal states. 'It is also tied to rising daily crime rates among irregular workers, some of whom, out of desperation, may break the law. The government must step in, set clear rules, and hold those responsible for bringing in these workers accountable if they leave them to drift without jobs.' The MPs suggest two paths forward: either placing workers under proper sponsorship with jobs lined up or arranging for their return home. They argue that without firm action, the situation will continue to weigh on the economy and job market.

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