Clampdown on illegal engineers operating in Bahrain

PHOTO
Image used for illustrative purpose only. Construction workers are seen at the Grand Egyptian Museum on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt January 30, 2018. Picture taken January 30, 2018.

A campaign has been launched to track down unlicensed engineers operating in Bahrain.

It follows the expiration of a deadline for all those active in the profession to obtain licences.

The campaign includes visits to construction sites and offices of engineering firms by the Council for Regulating the Practice of Engineering Professions (CRPEP).

“We have hired inspectors now to conduct site visits to track down violators, especially unlicensed individuals or offices,” said CRPEP chairman Abdulmajeed Al Qassab.

“Watch out those offices, as we will be conducting our inspections in full swing.”

Engineers and engineering companies were initially required to obtain licences by the end of December, but the deadline was extended until the end of last month.

Those caught operating illegally could now face imprisonment and fines of up to BD5,000.

Mr Al Qassab said more than 5,200 engineers had obtained licences in the public and private sector, as well as 203 engineering firms.

“We have good co-operation with the Interior Ministry and the Labour Market Regulatory Authority that helps us know in our system about those using the title “engineer” or practising the profession,” he added.

“Our teams get in touch with those individuals and request them to obtain the licence or refrain from using the title.”

The crackdown follows the introduction of a new law in 2014 to regulate the profession, due to concerns about unqualified engineers being hired for projects – including some major developments.

Since then a deadline for engineers to obtain their licences has been repeatedly pushed back, but the grace period has now officially expired.

Mr Al Qassab said most companies and engineers had now complied with the regulation.

“There are some non-Bahraini engineers who have worked for several years in companies and hold high posts who need to obtain licences,” he said.

“This is important because we need to evaluate whether they have the experience that meets our standards.”

Four engineering firms that had not registered with the watchdog were uncovered last year.

The CRPEP licences are valid for engineers in the public sector until they retire, resign or move to the private sector.

Engineers in the private sector must renew their licences every year.

Bahraini applicants are required to hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering and should not have a criminal record or engage in other professions.

The same rules apply for expatriate engineers, but they must also have five years’ experience after obtaining their degree.

Engineering graduates working in other professions do not require a licence.

For more information, contact 17534747 or visit www.crpep.bh.

sandy@gdn.com.bh