A SALUTE to all Bahraini cashiers went out from a top government official after a female MP suggested it wasn’t quite her ‘image’ when she snubbed the opportunity of a supermarket job before her success at the polls.
Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said during an extraordinary Parliament session yesterday that all Bahraini cashiers deserve respect for their work and contributions to the economy.
It followed remarks by MP Mariam Al Sayegh, who spoke about her experience when job hunting with the Labour Ministry, saying that she was told of a vacancy as a cashier with a supermarket chain which she felt did not take into consideration her qualifications.
Her comments sparked social media outrage and there was some that translated the Arabic words into English suggesting she meant how ‘she looked’ although ‘image’ is the pure translation.
“From this podium, I salute every Bahraini working as a cashier in every supermarket in Bahrain,” said Shaikh Salman.
“We are generally proud of all Bahrainis working in every position and vocation.
“Our plans or other employment strategies that will be drawn in partnership with Parliament should not just focus on getting new jobs but progression of Bahrainis in their workplace.
“Every job is respected as all workers contribute to the growth of the economy.
“There is a ladder that everyone should start on and careers can progress and develop when opportunities come your way, should you wish to take the next step.”
Ms Al Sayegh claimed the Labour Ministry was pushing Bahrainis into jobs to meet employment targets, regardless of their credentials.
“From my experience with the Labour Ministry, they gave me a job vacancy as a cashier! Why? No!
“That doesn’t suit my studies, work experience and sorry, how I look, as I can’t see myself sitting as a cashier in Al Helli Supermarket.
“I know of someone who has a Master’s who was shown a vacancy for sales at clothes store Zara. How come?”
Meanwhile, MP Mohammed Olaiwi backed her on the mismatching experience saying he knew of a university graduate who was told to enter his details in the ministry’s job seeking automated system and was offered the post of an undertaker.
“We want jobs that match the credentials of candidates and not to see the ministry brag about numbers of those employed while they are just shoved into jobs,” he said.
The reaction to Ms Al Sayegh’s supermarket cashier comments are still raging. The Shura Council’s youth and sports affairs committee chairwoman Sabeeka Al Fadhala said that ‘image or looks’ were not a factor when it came to employment opportunities.
“This is a clear belittling to those in simple jobs in disregard to them being a majority and main contributors to the economy, society and families,” she blasted. “Bahrainis are respected by everyone and we can’t stand silent when their dignity is subject to disrespect. Those comments were unacceptable.”
Mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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