A TOTAL of 7,356 expatriates are employed on temporary contracts in the public sector, it has been revealed.
Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain, who is politically responsible for the Civil Service Commission, told Parliament in writing that the expats have been given the jobs following requests by concerned ministries and government bodies. He added that the majority of them were employed in health, education and higher education sectors.
“Expatriates are employed after their credentials, background and experience are verified,” said Mr Al Buainain.
Qualified
“The commission checks job vacancies and sanctions recruitment only if needed and depending on the budget allocated by each ministry or government body.
“Expatriate contracts are renewed only if qualified Bahraini candidates are not available for the role.
“The employing government body is alerted about potential Bahraini candidates and their curriculum vitaes (CVs) are forwarded when contracts are up for renewal,” he added, while responding to a question by Mamdooh Al Saleh.
The minister said 1,815 foreigners had their contracts terminated from January 2019 to November 14 last year. A total of 4,598 Bahrainis were also employed during the same period.
“Some expats are contractually obliged to train Bahrainis besides doing their assigned duties,” he added.
The minister also revealed that 1,402 foreigners were recruited – of which 1,194 were in medical and health sector as the country was dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
“A total of 158 were employed in educational sector, while 50 were divided on miscellaneous vacancies.”
Dr Al Buainain reiterated that the government was giving top priority to Bahrainis.
“All jobs are advertised so that Bahraini candidates can apply,” he said.
“We have just launched a circulation system in the government in which civil servants can move between ministries and government bodies and 168 jobs were advertised and 24,674 requests received.”
Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Aymen Almoayyed is also set to appear during Tuesday’s weekly session to respond to three questions by MPs. The questions, which the minister has responded to in writing, are:
On constructing a sports pitch in the Capital Governorate constituency eight (Nabih Saleh and northern part of Sitra), by legislative and legal affairs committee chairman Fadhel Al Sawad.
On plans and projects in Capital Governorate constituency nine (southern part of Sitra, Eker and Ma’ameer), by services committee vice-chairman Ammar Al Mukhtar.
On projects in the Muharraq Governorate constituency eight (Hidd), by Yousif Al Thawadi.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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