Bahrain’s traders have called for the monthly BD10 ($26.520 Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) fee for expatriate workers to be suspended until the end of the year.

Scores of businessmen have issued the plea to the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), said retail and traditional markets committee head Jawad Al Hawaj.

"The board is now considering the traders' request and may soon write to the government," he said.

The fee was suspended for six months starting in April after businesses demanded relief following weeks of unrest which they said was affecting their livelihoods.

It came following directives from HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander.

Owners of small and medium enterprises have been protesting against the fees since they were imposed in 2008.

They maintain the fees are unfair and would result in many businesses closing down.

Traders pay the monthly fee on every foreign worker they employ.

They are collected by LMRA and used by Tamkeen to train Bahrainis for the workplace, create jobs and support local businesses. – TradeArabia News Service