A NEW legislation that seeks to prioritise jobs for Bahrainis has been approved by MPs.
The draft national employment law states that all jobs in state-owned companies, as well as firms with 50 per cent or more government contribution, should be reserved exclusively for Bahrainis.
However, if the Labour and Social Development Ministry’s Jobs Bank or the Civil Service Commission’s applicants’ database include no qualified Bahrainis for the role, temporary contracts could be offered to expats.
The bill would be drafted into a proper law by the government within six months and referred to the National Assembly for review.
The Parliament yesterday witnessed a heated debate over the law with Mohammed Al Abbasi claiming that ministers weren’t taking firm decisions to tackle unemployment.
“Ministers will understand the public’s feelings only when they too are replaced with expats,” he said.
“Even businessmen prefer expats over citizens, they say that international agreements prohibit discrimination.
“We are only seeking more jobs for our people as many of them are qualified to take up various roles; it’s a fair demand.”
Meanwhile, Dr Masooma Abdulrahim said MPs were ‘powerless’ unless their decisions are backed by the government.
“Everyone is fed up with debates on Bahrainisation and prioritisation, it is just talk and no action,” she said.
Zainab Abdulamir said the government and employers should do away with expats and choose from a pool of Bahraini talents.
“Citizens should be employed at Bahrain International Airport, in Gulf Air and across all entry points, reflecting the country’s identity,” she said.
Isa Al Qadi said expats were transferring 80pc of their income abroad and not helping the country’s economy.
The Labour and Social Development Ministry earlier told MPs that 105,000 citizens – constituting 69pc of the total Bahraini workforce – were already employed in the private sector.
“We have ambitious programmes that would make Bahrainis the top choice, but there are jobs like air hostesses, chefs and receptionists that our nationals don’t prefer and we cannot leave the vacancies unfilled for months,” the ministry said.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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