Bahrainis would be prioritised for jobs in administrative and teaching positions in private educational and training establishments following new legislative amendments proposed by Parliament.
MPs are expected to vote, during their weekly session on Tuesday, on government-drafted amendments to the 1998 Private Educational and Training Establishments Law.
These amendments are based on a parliamentary proposal submitted last year aimed at increasing the employment of Bahrainis in the private education sector.
However, if no suitable Bahraini candidates are found and expats have to be recruited, the institution will have to seek approval from the Education Minister.
The Cabinet, in its covering memo associated with the legislation, assured MPs that it was actively collaborating with Tamkeen (Labour Fund) to achieve this objective.
“Through the 2023-2026 National Employment Plan, several initiatives and incentives are being introduced to prioritise Bahrainis in the job market, particularly in private educational and training institutions,” it said.
“Tamkeen plays a key role in the implementation of these efforts, focusing on upskilling Bahraini citizens to meet the demands of the private education sector.
“By aligning these initiatives with the National Employment Plan, the government seeks to ensure that more Bahrainis secure stable and meaningful employment in the sector.”
Parliament’s services committee chairwoman Jalila Al Sayed said that the proposal reflected a long-standing parliamentary goal to reduce unemployment among Bahrainis and increase their representation in key sectors of the economy.
She added that MPs have repeatedly called for reforms to ensure that Bahrainis are given preference in job opportunities, particularly in sectors where they have the qualifications and experience.
“The amendments under discussion include specific provisions requiring private educational and training institutions to prioritise hiring Bahrainis for administrative and teaching roles,” she said.
“Institutions may also be required to justify hiring non-Bahrainis, especially if qualified Bahrainis are available to fill the roles.”
“The proposed changes are expected to have a significant impact on the private education sector, where expatriates currently dominate many administrative and teaching roles.
“By mandating the prioritisation of Bahrainis, the amendments aim to reduce dependency on foreign labour while ensuring that the national workforce is adequately represented.”
Ms Al Sayed’s committee believes the move aligns with Bahrain’s broader economic and employment strategies, including the Economic Recovery Plan and Vision 2030, which emphasise empowering Bahrainis and enhancing their competitiveness in the job market.
“The amendments also contribute to addressing the challenges faced by Bahraini jobseekers in finding employment that matches their qualifications,” she said.
“By creating more opportunities in the private education sector, the reforms aim to support employment equity and foster economic stability.”
Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma said multiple policies and procedures have been placed to ensure that Bahrainis are appointed into such educational posts within private schools and institutes.
Legal Affairs Minister, acting Labour Minister and Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) acting board chairman Yousif Khalaf also pointed out that the government was already doing this when recruitment is announced for educational jobs.
Also set for debate and a vote is a government-drafted legislation to join the UN’s 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
The Foreign Ministry has asserted that Bahrain will have no financial obligations whatsoever.
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