The Labour Ministry has reported that its Employment Department has achieved a 42 per cent success rate in filling available vacancies, surpassing the earlier benchmark of 30pc, while acknowledging persistent structural mismatches between jobseekers and employer requirements.
The detailed breakdown came in written parliamentary responses by Labour and Legal Affairs Minister Yousif Khalaf, who defended the ministry’s performance amid scrutiny over the gap between vacancies and actual placements.
“Reaching a 42pc coverage rate in employment placements is in itself an achievement,” Mr Khalaf said, noting that the figure reflects the complexity of matching job requirements with available candidates.
According to the ministry, around 33,000 job vacancies are recorded annually, while actual filled positions hover around 14,000.
Mr Khalaf attributed the gap to employer-driven conditions rather than a lack of applicants.
“Sometimes employers impose specific requirements such as professional certifications or English language proficiency, which are not always met by jobseekers,” he explained. “This leads to a natural discrepancy between available vacancies and actual employment outcomes.”
He cited examples such as specialised accounting roles requiring certified qualifications, and aviation or customer-facing positions where language skills remain a barrier for some applicants.
The minister also confirmed that some vacancies receive no applications at all due to their nature or working conditions.
He emphasised that the ministry does not set hiring criteria, noting that employers are responsible for defining the requirements for their vacancies. “While the state facilitates matching through the National Employment Platform, final hiring decisions remain entirely with the private sector,” he added.
To bridge skills gaps, the ministry enrols jobseekers in targeted training programmes, particularly in English language and technical competencies, when repeated rejection patterns are identified.
The National Employment Platform (NEP) remains the central recruitment mechanism, allowing employers to post vacancies and jobseekers to apply directly. The system permits up to 25 candidates per vacancy, with employers able to request additional applicants subject to verification.
The minister confirmed that NEP operates through an automated system linked with other government databases.
“Most processes – from registration to job matching – are automated, with limited human intervention,” he said.
“Officials intervene only in specific cases such as document verification, interview scheduling, or training referrals.
“All systems are designed to minimise human interference and ensure transparency,” Mr Khalaf said, adding that jobseekers interact directly with the platform to select suitable opportunities.
Grievance system
Mr Khalaf detailed the ministry’s grievance system, which processes appeals related to unemployment benefits and job placement decisions.
“The grievance committee is required to respond within 10 days, although the legal framework allows up to 15 days,” he said.
Appeals are reviewed electronically, with decisions issued via the national platform and supported by documented reasoning.
The ministry reported that thousands of appeals are reviewed annually, with most related to procedural issues such as missed interviews or documentation gaps.
Since late 2025, jobseekers are no longer categorically rejected in many cases, but instead recorded as having attended or failed to attend interviews, allowing greater procedural flexibility.
Bahrainisation
The minister also highlighted ongoing Bahrainisation policies aimed at increasing citizen participation in the workforce.
“Some sectors enforce quotas reaching up to 50pc, with penalties of BD500 per unfilled expatriate work permit where compliance is not met,” he said. “Government-linked companies also play a role in posting vacancies, contributing to broader national employment goals.”
In co-ordination with the Bahrain Chamber, he added, the ministry continues targeted outreach to encourage private sector participation in hiring Bahrainis.
Jobs for disabled
Special emphasis was placed on integrating persons with disabilities into the workforce.
According to ministry data, 1,785 job opportunities were allocated to persons with disabilities in 2025, with around 1,300 currently employed in the private sector.
A total of 275 individuals benefited from employment schemes, with 210 successfully placed in jobs.
The ministry also highlighted its partnership with the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), which provides wage support and training incentives under the Disability Support Initiative and broader employment schemes. Support rates begin at 80pc in the first year, decreasing gradually over a three-year period, aimed at improving private sector absorption of Bahraini workers.
Training
The minister outlined a broad training framework delivered in co-operation with Bahrain Polytechnic and Tamkeen-funded institutions.
“Programmes include vocational training, basic skills development, apprenticeship schemes, and structured employment-guarantee initiatives.
“Jobseekers may undergo retraining for six to 12 months depending on market demand, with an estimated 3,000 graduates expected to benefit from structured rehabilitation pathways.
“Training is not optional in many cases where the labour market requires reskilling,” Khalaf noted. “We aim to ensure jobseekers are competitive and ready for available opportunities.”
While defending the ministry’s performance indicators, Mr Khalaf acknowledged that structural challenges remain in aligning workforce supply with private sector demand.
“The labour market is dynamic, and success is not measured only by the number of vacancies filled, but by the quality and sustainability of employment,” he said.
Government-owned and partially government-owned companies continue to play a significant role in supporting Bahrain’s national employment drive. He said these entities have stepped up their engagement by regularly advertising vacancies and participating in structured recruitment initiatives aligned with Bahrainisation targets and workforce development policies.
Since October alone, a total of 566 Bahrainis have been employed across wholly or partially state-owned companies, reflecting what he described as ‘a practical translation of government directives into real opportunities for citizens in key sectors’.
He also stressed that their participation goes beyond mere vacancy posting, extending to training-linked employment schemes and long-term workforce planning aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing reliance on external recruitment.
Mr Khalaf underlined that this co-operation supports broader national goals of sustainable employment and skills development, while ensuring that public-linked enterprises remain closely aligned with the Kingdom’s economic and social priorities.
The parliamentary probe report into labour affairs is expected to lead to more discussions on labour market efficiency, digital transformation, and unemployment policy on Tuesday.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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