UP TO 70 per cent of wages of Bahrainis in the private sector will continue to be supported by Tamkeen as part of moves to favour the local workforce, revealed Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel Humaidan.
In a written response, he told Parliament services committee vice-chairwoman Dr Sawsan Kamal plans and projects were being currently revamped to prioritise Bahrainis in jobs.
“More than 12,000 Bahrainis benefited from Tamkeen’s wage support scheme in 2018 and 2019,” said Mr Humaidan.
“The government will continue supporting wages through Tamkeen for up to 70pc as we favour the labour workforce.
“Initiatives are on the way as plans and projects are revamped to prioritise Bahrainis while absorbing graduates in out-of-demand specialisations.
“Our plans include developing training/guaranteed employment programmes, on-the-job training from six months to three years with preference of employment schemes, and training jobseekers while being paid as workers in local establishments.”
He said 6,569 Bahrainis were trained in partnership with Tamkeen last year compared with 6,239 in 2018.
“Around 500 training courses were offered in 2018 and 2019 through 83 accredited institutes.”
The minister also revealed there were 10,795 unemployed Bahrainis last year, 77pc females and 23pc males, in comparison with 8,399 unemployed, the same percentages, in 2018.
“The highest unemployment age category last year was from 25 to 29 with 3,751 Bahrainis, 87pc females and 13pc males, compared with 3,375 Bahrainis in 2018, the same percentages,” he said.
“It is followed by the age range from 20 to 24, 30 to 34, 35 to 39, below 20, 45 or more, and 40 to 44, respectively, from highest unemployment to lowest.”
In another response to Bahrain Bloc president Ahmed Al Salloom, Mr Humaidan said 7,200 jobs were announced from August to September in the local Press.
“The new jobs announcement system was introduced for expat employment should no suitable Bahraini be available within two weeks and we marketed 2,019 jobs out of them to those on the ministry’s lists,” said Mr Humaidan, who is also Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) chairman.
“The jobs we marketed matched 1,051 requests under the ministry out of 1,800 expats licensed to work and we managed to get 1,175 employed as close specialisations were accepted.
“Employers cancelled 387 requests for expat work permits.”
He said the government was working to increase the cost for expats with work permit fees being raised to BD500 for regular and flexi employment, besides BD30 monthly charges.
“We have also worked with Tamkeen to increase Bahrainis’ wages by 100pc over the past two years and 7,500 Bahrainis have benefited from that.
“This comes as we contribute to the development of workplaces and providing financial and administrative stability to Bahrainis in their jobs.
“We have also introduced part-time jobs for females between four and seven hours, who are 75pc of the employed, with us supporting up to 70pc of the wage besides registering them for social insurance and getting them allowances.”
He said 2,992 Bahrainis jobseekers were employed through career expos last year.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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