Mubasher, 14 October 2024: The Labour Fund Tamkeen in Bahrain has recovered support amounts from a number of companies that were proven to have violated the terms, conditions, and contracts stated in the support programs.

This came after the issuance of rulings regarding a number of cases that were referred by “Tamkeen” to the competent authorities regarding a number of institutions that benefited from the support funds provided through employment support and wage support programs, as they involved criminal suspicion.

The support amounts provided in a number of these cases have been recovered, as this measure affirms Tamkeen’s commitment to the principles of transparency and accountability, and the application of necessary penalties on all violators without exception.

Violations that are detected are dealt with according to their nature. Administrative violations, such as violating support requirements, regulations, and policies in force at “Tamkeen,” are decided upon in accordance with the Regulatory Bylaw for Violations by Suppliers and Beneficiaries of Labour Fund Projects.

This is done through a number of penalties that include recovering funds, deprivation from obtaining Tamkeen support for a specific period, or both.

On the other hand, violations that involve criminal suspicions, such as illegal employment, wage manipulation, and the like, are referred to the competent security authorities for adjudication and taking necessary measures, while Tamkeen maintains the right to impose the aforementioned administrative penalties on them upon the issuance of a decision by the competent authorities.

It is worth noting that Tamkeen’s Control Team had previously announced the introduction of a control plan aimed at detecting any cases of illegal employment or wage manipulation.

A number of the Fund’s employees have also been granted the status of judicial control officers to enhance the legal frameworks followed in control and follow-up procedures and develop working mechanisms between “Tamkeen” and the concerned authorities to take necessary measures regarding the detected cases.

The number of visits carried out since the launch of the new package of programs in November of last year exceeded 4,300 inspection visits to beneficiaries of employment and wage support programs.

Tamkeen has also recently launched a page on its website to report violations as part of a comprehensive plan to improve control procedures and emphasise the activation of transparency principles and improve control.

This aims to consolidate cooperation frameworks and mutual trust between Tamkeen and all members of society, whether beneficiaries or non-beneficiaries of the provided support programs.

It also ensures that support is directed to those who deserve it and the application of the highest adopted standards for institutional control.

Tamkeen renews its call to everyone, whether beneficiaries or non-beneficiaries of support programs, to cooperate and report any violations or excesses through the designated channels, which include the dedicated page on the website www.tamkeen.bh/whistleblowing-form/, in addition to the hotline 17383383, and the email report@tamkeen.bh.

For the full story, click here.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.