TRADE unionists have called for a 25 per cent Bahrainisation quota to be made compulsory in all job sectors.
That was one of the recommendations made during a two-day workshop that started yesterday at the Ramee Grand, in Seef, organised by the General Federation of Bahraini Trade Unions (GFBTU).
Participants also proposed a higher Bahrainisation rate in all major companies, as well as tougher action against companies whose expat employees become illegal residents.
Additional recommendations are expected to come out of the workshop today.
“We recommend that there should be a compulsory 25pc Bahrainisation in all job sectors in the country, while it should be more in major companies,” said GFBTU assistant secretary for media Jaffar Khaleel.
Meanwhile, Bahraini unionists again criticised a scheme launched in July last year, which allows expatriates to obtain flexible work permits – effectively allowing them to operate on a freelance basis.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), aims to tackle the black market in work visas.
An estimated 60,000 foreigners live illegally in Bahrain, many of whom bought visas illegally from unscrupulous company owners to access the country.
Two-year flexible permits are designed to stamp out the practice and can be obtained from the LMRA for a fee, allowing foreigners to legalise their status and diverting money from the visa black market into government coffers.
It has been singled out for praise by a visiting International Labour Organisation (ILO) delegation, while the scheme contributed to LMRA chief executive Ausamah Al Absi being branded a “hero” in the US State Department’s latest human trafficking report.
However, claims that it undermined Bahraini companies by encouraging foreign competition were repeated again at yesterday’s workshop.
“Bahrainis should be given priority, at least in select job sectors,” said Mr Khaleel.
“Certain jobs like plumbers and electricians, which Bahrainis used to do, are now being done by flexible permit holders at a much cheaper rate. “All this is creating an imbalance in the labour market, which will not be healthy in future.”
The GFBTU is now seeking a meeting with authorities to submit feedback on the flexible permit scheme.
It is also seeking better protection for migrant workers under the Labour Law, while calling for tougher action against employers who allow holders of their visas to become illegal workers.
However, Mr Khaleel said the GFBTU was in favour of the flexible permit scheme in principle.
“Flexible permits will ultimately be a good move, but when we have a labour market that is rich with job options and a lower unemployment rate,” he said.
“Currently we do not have this.”
Other participants in the workshop, supported by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), include representatives of the Bahrain Transparency Society, General Trade Union and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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