MANAMA, 4 August 2004 — Bahrain is taking serious steps to curb the problem of “free visas” in recent weeks with 43 business owners being investigated by the public prosecutor, according to Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Dr. Majeed Al-Allawi.
“These are hideous people who trade in flesh,” said the minister, who has launched a campaign to curb the phenomenon of ‘free visa’ since he came to the ministry two years ago. The 43 people being investigated will be dealt with firmly according to the law, Allawi said. He was speaking at a public meeting in Al-Muharraq.
The problem of “free visas” has plagued the Bahraini job market for the last 20 years. “This is a complicated issue. For some people it is a thriving business that nets millions of dinars every year,” Allawi said.
He added that King Hamad had given him the authority to enforce the law to combat this problem.
