Businessmen have welcomed a decision to freeze the fees on foreign workers for another six months, saying it will go a long way in helping them recover from the unrest.

The monthly BD10 Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) fee was due to come into force yesterday following a 12-month suspension, but the Cabinet has agreed to push it back until the end of the year.

Companies are supposed to pay the monthly levy for each expatriate they employ, but it was waived by the government to offset the financial impact of the unrest.

"It is a great decision and what we were demanding," said Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) old suq committee chairman Mahmoud Al Namlaity.

"We had been pushing for this for a long time and were demanding the fee be frozen for another year.

"But even now, this is welcome. Six months will do us a lot of good.

"Hopefully, businesses will be in a much better position to pay soon."

However, Mr Al Namlaity said the committee would go ahead with a plan to meet BCCI members today and give to them a petition in support of their demands.

"We will also give copies of the letter to the office of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister and the Industry and Commerce Minister," he said.

Mr Al Namlaity said among their demands were to get Tamkeen to help businesses with more support and to freeze the municipal fees on business.

"We are also demanding the BD30 licence fees every year we have to pay to the Industry and Commerce Ministry be temporarily waived," he said.

"We are also currently fined for any unpaid insurance premiums and that should also not happen. We are willing to pay but a delay should not attract a fine."

Mr Al Namlaity said the government should also ask banks to give loans to businessmen on easy terms so that the money could be invested in their businesses.

"We have also asked the authorities to impress upon the Electricity and Water Authority to slash our bills by half for the time being," he said. "We are all for the development of Bahrain but are in a position that we are unable to pay. We need more time to get back on our feet."

Another area of complaint is the licensing of businesses.

"In certain areas, there are, say 20 cold stores where only five are needed. In others there are five hair salons where only one would be needed. This affects everyone so there has to be a cap," said Mr Al Namlaity.

The petition has already collected 180 signatures.

BCCI retail and traditional markets committee head Jawad Al Hawaj also welcomed the LMRA fee freeze.

"This is a good decision and will help us recoup," he said.

"We have to welcome these steps so that we can concentrate on rebuilding our businesses and Bahrain."