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A proposed amendment to the 2010 Civil Service Law that seeks to impose stricter conditions on the hiring of expatriate employees in government roles could be shelved.
The amendment targets Article (11) of the Civil Service Law and proposes new statutory conditions for contracting non-Bahrainis, including higher academic qualifications, longer professional experience, time-limited contracts, and mandatory training of Bahraini staff.
The issue is set to be debated in the Shura Council on Sunday, following Parliament’s decision to insist on its earlier approval of the amendment.
Committee chairwoman Dalal Al Zayed said the panel had carefully re-examined the draft law and concluded that it added no substantive legal value to the existing framework.
“The committee believes that the objectives of the proposed amendment are already fully achieved through the current Civil Service Law, its executive regulations, and the binding instructions of the Civil Service Commission,” Ms Al Zayed said. “The existing legislation already gives absolute priority to Bahraini citizens in public-sector employment.”
Under the current framework, appointing expatriates is permitted only as an exception – when no qualified Bahraini candidate is available, and contracts are temporary by nature.
“The Constitution is clear in prioritising Bahrainis for public office, and the Civil Service Law was enacted to implement this principle,” Ms Al Zayed said. “Introducing rigid statutory conditions may actually reduce flexibility without enhancing outcomes.”
The committee also highlighted the immense progress achieved under existing policies.
According to official data cited in the report, foreign employment contracts in government entities fell by 23 per cent between 2019 and 2024, reflecting the success of national job localisation efforts.
“This reduction demonstrates that the current legal and administrative system is effective,” Ms Al Zayed noted. “What is required is continued enforcement and development of existing tools, not legislative duplication.”
The committee acknowledged that the proposed amendment is constitutionally sound, but maintained that it is unnecessary, as all its requirements are already embedded within the legal and regulatory structure governing civil service appointments.
Should the Shura Council insist on its rejection during Sunday’s sitting, the amendment will be shelved, bringing the legislative process on the proposal to an end under constitutional procedures.
“The committee’s position is based on legal consistency, practical experience and respect for the constitutional balance between legislation and administration,” Ms Al Zayed added. “Our recommendation is to uphold the council’s previous decision.”
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