Cracking the whip on companies employing foreign workers illegally, Bahrain has told firms not to hire expats whose residence permit has expired for more than 30 days.

"Foreign workers whose residence permit has expired for more than 30 days have no other option but to leave the country," LMRA e-services and public relations manager Waheed Al Balushi said.

The country has also decided to levy a monthly tax on firms that hire foreign expats.

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has started sending invoices to companies to pay a monthly tax of BD10 ($26.52) for each expatriate worker they employ.

The bill has been sent out to all companies, which have valid commercial registration, Balushi said adding, the companies will receive their invoices soon and all payment must be made before the end of the month.

The bills have been prepared according to the list of expats available with LMRA; he was quoted as saying by Gulf Daily News.