A proposal to completely Bahrainise certain professions was approved unanimously by MPs yesterday.
The professions are: engineering, arts, human resources and administration, media, public relations, accounting, treasury, security, document clearing, tourist guides, and protocol and hospitality.
The proposal by five MPs led by services committee vice-chairman Mohammed Al Olaiwi has been referred to the Cabinet for review.
Mr Al Olaiwi stressed the importance of conducting a detailed study for each profession to ensure a balanced and effective localisation process.
“Some professions have more unemployed Bahrainis than foreign workers, making it feasible to train and employ citizens in these fields.
“One of the most pressing cases is human resources: How can it be acceptable for a foreigner to conduct job interviews for Bahraini candidates?” he questioned.
However, Mr Al Olaiwi acknowledged that some professions lack a sufficient number of skilled Bahraini workers, requiring a case-by-case evaluation to avoid labour shortages.
“The Bahrainisation initiative and the additional economic proposals reflect Parliament’s commitment to strengthening the local workforce, reducing financial burdens on citizens and fostering innovation in the business sector,” he said.
“While Bahrainisation efforts will require careful implementation, it is important to create sustainable employment opportunities for Bahrainis while ensuring the economy remains competitive and diverse.”
Alongside the Bahrainisation initiative, Parliament also approved a series of proposals aimed at addressing economic and labour market challenges.
Also unanimously approved by Parliament yesterday were:
A proposal to lower the interest rates on housing loans provided by the Housing Bank by 20 per cent to ease the financial burden on citizens seeking homeownership.
A proposal to task the Industry and Commerce Ministry to monitor high-demand economic activities to study the reasons behind market fluctuations and potential loopholes for manipulation.
A proposal to revamp the job application system within the Civil Service Commission and Labour Ministry.
The new system will allow job seekers to apply based on both their primary specialisation and related fields of expertise, ensuring a broader and more accurate job-matching process.
A proposal to direct Tamkeen (Labour Fund) to support and incentivise businesses investing in artificial intelligence. This initiative aims to enhance innovation and digital transformation in Bahrain’s private sector.
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