BCCI hails extension of freeze on LMRA fees

Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) hailed today the cabinet's decision to extend a freeze on fees levied by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) till April 1, 2012.he cabinet yesterday announced the reprieve in its weekly meeting in response to a request by BCCI to reduce the impact of the recent crisis on the private sector.The chamber also commended the directives of HRH the Prime Minister to the authorities to review the labour fees levied on foreign workers and submit recommendations.The aim is to assess their impact on different economic sectors in Bahrain.The LMRA fees were first frozen on April 1, as Bahrain was emerging from two-month unrest which crippled business."The decision to extend the freeze on the labour fees levied by LMRA will substantially contribute to reducing the pitfalls of the recent incidents in Bahrain on the economy," BCCI Chairman Dr. Essam Abdullah Fakhro said in a statement today.He also praised the cabinet's green light to boost partnership with the private sector in the housing field pointing out that "Such decisions will play a key role in invigorating the kingdom's economy."He hailed the government's efforts to carry out the National Consensus Dialogue recommendations mainly those pertaining to assisting the private sector in surmounting financial hardships which resulted from the recent crisis.