Legal Rights for Truck Drivers and Road Transport Workers in Bahrain
Bahrain’s logistics and road transport sector is essential for moving goods across the country and the Gulf region.
Truck drivers and other road transport workers often face long hours, fatigue, road hazards, and demanding schedules.
Bahraini labour law and transport safety regulations provide specific legal protections to safeguard their rights, safety, and well-being.
Read more about our Labour Law expertise in Bahrain.
Key Legal Protections for Truck Drivers & Road Transport Workers
- Regulated Working Hours
- Laws limit daily and weekly driving hours to prevent fatigue-related accidents.
- Drivers are entitled to rest breaks after a set number of driving hours.
- Mandatory Rest Days
- At least one full day of rest per week is required.
- Working on rest days requires either compensatory time off or additional pay.
- Safe Vehicle Standards
- Employers must maintain trucks and vehicles in roadworthy condition, complying with safety inspections.
- Insurance & Medical Coverage
- Workers must be insured against workplace accidents, including road traffic accidents during work duties.
- Fair Pay & Overtime Rights
- Drivers are entitled to payment for all hours worked, including loading/unloading time, not just driving hours.
- Overtime pay must follow legal rates.
Employer’s Legal Obligations
- Ensure drivers receive safety training, including defensive driving and load securing.
- Keep accurate logs of driving hours and rest periods.
- Provide PPE where necessary (e.g., safety vests, gloves, helmets for certain delivery sites).
- Report all work-related accidents to the Ministry of Labour.
Worker’s Responsibilities
- Follow all traffic laws and company safety policies.
- Take rest breaks as required to prevent fatigue.
- Report unsafe vehicle conditions before starting a journey.
- Avoid overloading vehicles or driving beyond legal hours.
Labour Lawyers in Bahrain handling employment disputes.
Example:
A long-haul truck driver in Bahrain was pressured to drive through the night without rest to meet a tight delivery deadline. He refused, citing transport safety regulations. The employer adjusted the schedule and provided an additional driver, ensuring compliance with working hour limits and avoiding penalties.
Best Practices for Truck Drivers & Road Transport Workers
- Keep a personal record of your working hours and rest breaks.
- Report unsafe driving conditions immediately.
- Know your right to refuse to operate unsafe vehicles.
- Stay updated on road safety rules and regulations.
In our previous blog on How the Law Protects Factory and Heavy Industry Workers in Bahrain
