Aqid ERPMeaning
The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (هيئة تنظيم سوق العمل) regulates the employment of expatriates in Bahrain's private sector. An employer applies to it for each expatriate's work permit and renewal through the authority's Expat Management System (EMS), and the authority publishes the Labour Law and its guides for workers and employers.
Since 2021 it has also run the Wage Protection System, which checks that private-sector wages are paid through institutions licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain; the enhanced system launched in October 2025 has the employer submit each month's payroll file through EMS and approve it through its bank. An employer that does not comply cannot submit transactions to the LMRA, so work permit applications and renewals wait until it does.
Also called: Labour Market Regulatory Authority · Bahrain LMRA
Example
Al Noor Trading W.L.L. renews two expatriate accountants' work permits through EMS in October. The renewals go through because its September payroll file was submitted and approved through the WPS on time.