Bahrain’s National Employment Platform operates with full transparency and jobseekers – not the ministry – select the opportunities that suit their qualifications, a minister has said.
Legal Affairs Minister and Acting Labour Minister Yousif Khalaf made the remarks in a series of detailed responses to six parliamentary questions from MPs on employment procedures, Bahrainisation policies, wage protection and the implementation of the royal directive to provide three job opportunities for every jobseeker.
“The ministry does not nominate jobseekers or contact them by phone to nominate them,” said Mr Khalaf.
“Jobseekers choose the vacancies that match their qualifications, preferences and experience through the National Employment Platform.”
Mr Khalaf explained that employers list vacancies directly on the platform, after which the ministry verifies salary levels, qualifications and job details. “Only after ensuring that vacancies meet the approved criteria do we allow them to be displayed to jobseekers,” he noted.
Each vacancy includes salary, job title, qualifications, location, work schedule, dress code requirements and other criteria, giving jobseekers complete clarity before applying.
If a jobseeker fails to nominate themselves for a sufficient number of positions, the system guides them towards suitable options. Continued inaction results in an invitation for an orientation session with a recruitment specialist.
Mr Khalaf reaffirmed that the ministry is implementing His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s directive to offer at least three in-person job interviews to every registered jobseeker by the end of this year.
“Three interviews are the minimum. There is no ceiling on the number of opportunities a jobseeker may apply for,” he said.
He added that the ministry continues to monitor salary offers to ensure they meet national standards: BD500 for university graduates, BD430 for diploma holders and BD350 for high school graduates and below, with market demand determining higher wages.
All official job interviews take place at the ministry’s premises under the supervision of staff, and invitations are issued via the Government Notifications System across SMS, email and digital platforms.
“A ministry employee observes every interview and approves the results submitted by the employer. This protects jobseekers from any inaccurate statements,” Mr Khalaf said.
If a candidate is later reported as unresponsive by an employer, the ministry does not accept the claim without reconfirmation. Instead, jobseekers are summoned to the ministry and the employer is contacted in their presence.
The minister revealed that 17,402 jobseekers were registered in 2024, including 4,852 whose unemployment exceeded four years. He stressed that jobseekers remain active in the ministry’s system even if they lose eligibility for unemployment benefits.
“No jobseeker is removed from our records until they are registered with the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO) as an insured employee,” he said.
Mr Khalaf also highlighted the grievance system, allowing appeals related to employment services, interview outcomes, training programmes and unemployment benefits. An independent committee reviews humanitarian and objective cases.
He emphasised continued incentives for private-sector employers to hire nationals. Wage support reaches 70pc in the first year, 50pc in the second, and 30pc in the third, with raised ceilings of BD800 for graduates, BD600 for diploma holders, and BD450 for secondary-level employees.
“The Bahraini worker has proven their competitiveness, and some establishments have reached Bahrainisation rates of up to 90pc,” he noted.
Employers seeking government tenders must submit ministry-certified Bahrainisation compliance documents, and non-compliant companies face LMRA fees of BD500 per foreign work permit.
To absorb the surge in jobseekers and vacancies, the ministry has extended working hours from 7am to 7pm, doubled recruitment and advisory staff, added interview halls and parking capacity, enhanced digital services with the Information and eGovernment Authority, and welcomed government-owned companies posting vacancies directly on the platform.
Responding to questions on wage protection, Mr Khalaf highlighted that the ministry, LMRA and Central Bank of Bahrain jointly enforce compliance through an integrated electronic monitoring system that tracks all wage transfers.
“The Wage Protection System ensures employers pay their workers on time and through authorised banking channels,” he said.
Mr Khalaf reiterated that ensuring priority employment for Bahrainis remains central to national labour policy.
“Our goal is to maximise the number of Bahrainis employed in the private sector and uphold full transparency throughout every stage of the employment process.”
Meanwhile, Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma will appear in Parliament on Tuesday to respond to a question by Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman MP Mohammed Al Bulooshi on the cost of government education per student.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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