An urgent call to the public to report any information or evidence related to fraudulent employment or training opportunities has been made by the Labour Ministry.
Warning that deceptive offers are being circulated under the names of non-existent companies, it said the offers are sometimes posted through its own electronic employment and training platforms or encountered during its virtual job fairs.
In a statement yesterday, the ministry urged individuals who have fallen victim to such scams – or who possess credible information about these schemes – to submit all details, documents or evidence through official channels.
The ministry pointed out that these reports are critical towards documenting cases, verifying the existence of suspicious offers and taking swift legal action against scammers.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to continuously enhance its employment services and ensure a trustworthy recruitment environment for Bahraini citizens.
The move comes amid growing concerns raised in Parliament about the rising number of scams that have left many Bahrainis vulnerable to exploitation.
The ministry noted that it is not only investigating individual cases but also examining systemic vulnerabilities that could be exploited by rogue actors.
It pledged to take ‘all necessary legal measures’ against any party found guilty of manipulating the employment ecosystem.
“The safety and dignity of Bahraini jobseekers are a top priority,” the ministry stressed, adding that public co-operation is essential to protecting the labour market from fraudulent practices.
Meanwhile, Parliament services committee vice-chairman Mohammed Al Olaiwi sounded the alarm, warning that fake job and training schemes have become increasingly sophisticated, ensnaring citizens into legal and financial trouble.
“Several Bahrainis are being tricked into believing they are signing contracts with legitimate companies,” he said.
“But what they don’t realise is that these entities either do not exist or are operating outside the legal framework, and eventually, the victims themselves are at risk of facing criminal charges.”
He pointed to particularly concerning cases where individuals were offered ‘stay-at-home’ jobs – allegedly to qualify for government employment support initiatives.
“Unsuspecting Bahrainis are being promised salaries for work-from-home roles that never actually exist. In reality, they are being used as pawns in fraudulent schemes to tap into state financial assistance programmes,” Mr Al Olaiwi explained.
“Once discovered, these citizens often face enormous difficulties clearing their names or proving their innocence,” he added, describing the scams as a ‘betrayal of trust’ that jeopardises the livelihoods of jobseekers.
Mr Al Olaiwi praised the ministry’s proactive response, describing the public appeal for evidence as ‘a necessary and courageous step’. However, he also called for even stronger preventative measures, suggesting that the ministry strengthen verification processes for job postings on its own platforms.
“There must be more stringent vetting of companies that advertise through the ministry’s portals,” he said.
“The government should also launch targeted awareness campaigns to educate jobseekers, especially new graduates, about how to spot fraudulent offers.”
To report, contact Tawasul on 80008001, email molcomplaint@mol.gov.bh or via the ministry’s social media accounts.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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