The registration process starts on Sunday for more than 1,500 pardoned inmates to be included on the job-seeker’s database, officials announced yesterday.
A variety of employment and training opportunities have been lined up for thousands of former prisoners as part of efforts to reintegrate them into Bahraini society.
A media briefing was staged at the Labour Ministry in Zayed Town led by Information and eGovernment Authority (IGA) Identity and Population Registry director Shaikh Sabah bin Hamad Al Khalifa. “We are aiming to make the process as easy as possible,” he said.
“All they will need is a valid CPR and some documentation from parents, guardians or other direct family members, and they can go to Bahrain.bh and register for jobs on the portal.
Attendees at the event
“If they struggle to do it online, they can always visit the Labour Ministry in person and we will assist them.
“The registration process will start on Sunday. For those who would rather do it in person, the ministry will be open from Sunday to Thursday, timings will be confirmed soon, but the plan is to do them in the morning and evening.”
His Majesty King Hamad, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, pardoned 1,584 inmates on April 8. He issued a royal decree announcing the pardon, which marks the Silver Jubilee of his reign and for Eid Al Fitr.
The pardon offered the former inmates the opportunity for positive re-integration into society, promoting the values of human rights in line with the kingdom’s approach in this regard.
Earlier this week during the weekly cabinet meeting, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, instructed the Interior Minister and the Labour Minister to ensure that all pardoned individuals are registered as beneficiaries of unemployment benefits for job-seekers.
Labour Ministry employment director Hussain Alshami stated yesterday those who register will be contacted as soon as possible. “We will confirm the data and then try to set them up with interviews, training and employment opportunities as soon as the opportunity presents itself,” he said.
“The ministry will work at assessing their skillset and see whether they want to jump into employment, or would rather do a training programme first.
“While they wait, they will be given a monthly allowance ranging from BD150 to BD200 depending on their past qualifications and experience.
“Once employed somewhere, the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) and the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, in co-operation with the ministry, will support their salaries for three years – 70 per cent in the first year, 50pc in the second year, and 30pc in the third year.”
Labour Ministry manpower development director Dr Essam Alalawi outlined some of the training and employment opportunities on offer.
“We are working with more than 100 private companies in Bahrain in order to provide paid training programmes to the pardoned inmates,” he said. “We will review their qualifications, past experiences, ambitions, interests and skills, and try to fit them with the best possible match.
“On average, these programmes will last about six to 12 months, then they can decide for themselves if they want to continue with the same place of employment or go somewhere else. We estimate that about 60pc will want to stay in the same workplace.
“In case the inmate feels like the programme is not a match, or if he wants to try something else, he will be able to under certain terms and conditions. During the duration of the programme, they will be paid BD200 to help them out.”
Dr Alalawi added that there would also be technical diploma programmes available in co-operation with Bahrain Polytechnic. “It will focus on teaching them a trade and will count as a university diploma,” he said. “It will include things like mechanics, plumbing, carpentry and other related programmes.
“Additionally, there will also be separate programmes for jobs requiring fewer formal qualifications, such as working as a security guard or truck driver.”
Interior Ministry Alternative Sentences director Captain Jassim Al Dossary said that the ministry has been facilitating necessary processes in order to get the candidates registered as soon as possible.
“This is a great opportunity for them to reintegrate into society,” he said. “The ministry will be with them every step of the way and will help them as much as possible.
“We will also occasionally follow up with them to ensure that they are settling in their new environments and if they need help with anything.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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