2011 Bahrain Country Commercial Guide - US - Export.gov

Office rents (2011 figures)
High-end office blocks in downtown
Manama and the Diplomatic Area
Medium range unit space (80 to 120
square meters)
Residential Rents (2011 figures)
$15 to $40 per square meter per
month, plus services
$450 to $950 per month
Villa: 3 to 4 bedroom semi-furnished $1000 to $3500 per month
Apartments: 2 bedroom semi-furnished Starting $800 per month
2 bedroom fully furnished Starting $ 950 per month
Utilities, Electricity, Water and Municipality Costs (2011 figures)
Utilities Commercial Rate Residential Rate
Electricity BD 0.012 per kilowatt hour First 2000 units: BD 0.006/unit
Next 3000 units: BD 0.012/unit
Additional units: BD 0.016/unit
Water First 450 m3: BD 0.300/m3 First 450 m3: BD 0.300/m3
Municipality
fee
Additional amount: BD 0.400/m3 Additional amount: BD 0.400/m3
10 percent of monthly rent
Labor Standards
The Labor Law for the private sector promulgated by Amiri Decree, Law Number 23 of
1976, is the main legislation on private sector labor standards in Bahrain. Normal work
hours in the private sector are not to exceed 40 hours per week or 8 hours per day (and
are not to exceed 30 hours per week and 6 hours per day during Ramadan). No
employee may work more than six consecutive hours without a minimum thirty-minute
break (not part of the hours of work). A paid maternity leave of 45 days must be granted
as well as 21 paid vacation days (increasing to a period not less than 28 days after five
continuous years of service), and 15 days (full pay) of sick leave. In August 2008, the
LMRA Board abolished the classic sponsorship system and permitted the free mobility of
labor, allowing expatriate workers to change jobs. However, employers must still
sponsor residence permits for their employees. In order to change
employer/sponsorship on a residence permit, an employee must either get a No
Objection Certificate from the previous employer, or depart Bahrain and re-enter under
the sponsorship of the new employer. Bahraini employers are no longer legally allowed
to confiscate employees' passports, however anecdotal evidence suggests that the
practice continues.
Wages
There is no national minimum wage labor law. Basic wage rates vary according to
location and industrial sector, while supplementary benefits, which may include bonuses,
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