I SHAKE my head at the “elicitations of wisdom,” flowing like pearls from parliamentary lips. Well before the shouting starts and the walkouts, of course.
Particularly in relation to expats, so instrumental in helping Bahrain reap the benefits of their wealth and experience.
And like everywhere else in the outside world, foreign expertise is sought, and bought, at an “attraction price.”
That does not come cheaply.
And now, some MPs are saying that all expats must be booted out and their jobs “given to Bahrainis.”
Presumably, those Bahrainis will step into the expat roles, and salaries of course, so the transition shall be seamless.
Not a penny saved, presumably, but if Bahrainis have in fact, been well trained by their expat mentors, not only for the task at hand, but also the range of commercial contacts and whole networks of wisdom, it should go well.
However, expats often bemoan that frequently, there is little inclination from locals to benefit from their experience, on the Bahraini basis, ”why should we pay them and I still do all the work.”
Alas, that’s the very point of “passing on experience, then passing on.”
Learn on the job and from mistakes.
But alas, too often, “You do it, because then we know it is done properly!”
And after all, isn’t that why Bahrain recruits expertise to see how things are done elsewhere?
Then “instil” that expertise in Bahraini enterprises, bureaucracy, even in parliamentarians, otherwise why would they need to go to Geneva, New York, on those juicy “learning trips” to biennial meetings of the Inter Parliamentary Union et al?
Instead they could save all that money, stay at home and froth about things like nightclubs, music, bacon, alcohol and other fun inhibitors.
Presumably soon too, “the movies,” where Bahrain shows some of the most grizzly, violent and bloodthirsty films and blockbusters!
I wonder if the said MPs ever look through the newspaper pages on Thursdays, where the weekend is about to get into swing?
You see the broad array of entertainment, making Bahrain such a liveable, visitable country for young and old alike.
The richness of the Spring of Culture and a plethora of other entertainment.
Would the Formula 1 and Airshow, for example, be as well attended by locals, expats and money providing foreigners, if there was no entertainment and if the city and towns were as arid as the country?
So thank goodness for the wise government, which resists these forays into whimsy.
One parliamentarian even proclaimed that the parliament was “weak,” presumably because it could not enforce its “will” as it had no “create expenditure” powers.
Thank goodness it is just a debating chamber, to whom the government listens and consults for input and criticism, but then enacts and funds policies, for good governance.
Across the board, “expat culling” would have a damaging effect on the country, particularly the economy, for the word quickly gets around to potential employees, investors and foreign ministries.
Thank goodness for the system.