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A RETHINK has been urged into a parliamentary proposal seeking 100 per cent reservation of jobs for Bahrainis in state-owned companies.
MPs had earlier demanded that jobs in ministries, government bodies and state-owned firms with 50pc or more shares should be reserved for citizens. They said expats should be recruited only if no suitable candidates are available on the Labour and Social Development Ministry and the Civil Service Commission’s lists.
A new draft law based on the proposal has been referred back to Parliament by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The Cabinet, in its explanation, said the proposal was unwarranted as government jobs were already reserved for Bahrainis.
“Only if no suitable candidates are found, expatriates are hired – and that too after completing a long set of procedures,” the government explained.
“State-owned firms like Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company and NogaHolding and others under their umbrella follow employment rules stipulated by the Labour and Social Development Ministry and not the Civil Service Commission as they are independent businesses.”
The Cabinet also warned that the new rule breached Bahrain’s international labour obligations and contradicted its own legislations.
“There should be no discrimination against any individual seeking work or doing a job under international labour conventions that Bahrain has signed on,” the Cabinet said.
“The new rule would have a negative impact on foreign investments and joint ventures as it complicates recruitment procedures.
“MPs must rethink this legislation as Bahrainis still remain the top choice for employers.”
The Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission told MPs in writing that the proposal to keep jobs ‘exclusively’ for Bahrainis was impractical.
“It means even if there are vacancies, no expatriate can be hired. Such a move would hinder the functioning of companies,” the commission pointed out.
“We suggest prioritising jobs for citizens to ensure that expatriates are hired only if no qualified Bahrainis are available.
“Expanding the move to cover state-owned companies with 50pc or more shares is direct interference in independent commercial entities. Their boards could comprise partners from the private sector, who may consider candidates on a different criteria.
“The new employment rule can be implemented only in companies fully owned by the government.”
MPs are set to vote on Tuesday to refer the legislation to the services committee for review.
Meanwhile, His Royal Highness Prince Salman also referred another draft legislation, based on a parliamentary proposal, to amend the 2006 Unemployment Fund Law.
Under the proposal, all unemployed individuals in the country will be eligible for a monthly allowance, and not just first-time jobseekers.
The government has called for a rethink on the proposal asserting that it could lead to jobseekers deliberately rejecting work that offers them pay that is closer to – or a bit more – than their monthly allowance.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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