Labor & Employment Law in Bahrain

Labor and employment work in Bahrain

The firm covers Bahrain matters in cooperation with a partner office in the Kingdom of Bahrain. That partner office is not a branch owned by the firm, and the firm does not itself hold a Bahrain law practice license; local licensing and representation are assessed for each matter in the Kingdom. We advise on Bahraini private-sector employment matters: employment contracts, probation, notice and termination, end-of-service entitlements, workplace rules and the handling of a complaint from either side.

The Bahraini labor law framework

Private-sector employment in Bahrain is governed by Law No. 36 of 2012 promulgating the Labour Law for the Private Sector, issued on 26 July 2012. It replaced the earlier Legislative Decree No. 23 of 1976. The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) publishes the law, and the Ministry of Labour handles labor complaints.

Labor complaints and procedure

The Ministry of Labour runs a service for registering and addressing the complaints of private-sector workers. It investigates the complaint and looks for a consensual or legal solution, free of charge, with a stated service level of five working days. The complainant must still be in the job and registered with a valid work permit, and the application needs the worker's ID, the employer's commercial registration number and supporting documents.

Working with us

A complaint is only as strong as the paper behind it, so contracts, payslips and notices are collected before it is filed. For a dispute that is already running, see our dispute resolution practice, read the General Commercial & Corporate overview, or contact our team.

MENA coordination

The firm was founded in Kuwait in 1986 and has a branch in Cairo. It covers MENA matters in cooperation with partner offices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, and partner offices in Turkey and the United States. Those partner offices are not branches owned by the firm; local licensing and advice are assessed in the relevant jurisdiction.

This page is general information, not advice for a particular entity or transaction.

Frequently asked questions

Which law governs private-sector employment in Bahrain?

Law No. 36 of 2012 promulgating the Labour Law for the Private Sector, which replaced Legislative Decree No. 23 of 1976.

How does a worker file a labor complaint in Bahrain?

Through the Ministry of Labour service for private-sector workers, which investigates and seeks a consensual or legal solution. The complainant must still be employed and registered with a valid work permit.

Does the firm have an office in Bahrain?

The firm covers Bahrain matters in cooperation with a partner office in the Kingdom of Bahrain. That partner office is not a branch owned by the firm, and the firm does not itself hold a Bahrain law practice license; local licensing and representation are assessed for each matter in the Kingdom.

Other markets

Corporate & Commercial Law in Bahrain · Labor & Employment Law in Egypt · Labor & Employment Law in Saudi Arabia · Labor & Employment Law in the UAE · Labor & Employment Law in Qatar · Labor & Employment Law in Oman