Bahrain’s 42 per cent job placement rate achieved through the National Employment Platform ranks among the highest globally, Labour and Legal Affairs Minister Yousif Khalaf has revealed.
The minister made the remarks during a marathon seven-hour parliamentary debate yesterday, responding to MPs’ questions and concerns over unemployment and hiring practices.
“A 42 pc coverage of job opportunities compared to jobseekers places us in the highest global category,” Mr Khalaf said.
“International averages range between 35 and 50pc, while GCC averages stand between 35 and 45pc. Bahrain is positioned within the top band.”
He stressed that responsibility for employing Bahrainis goes beyond the ministry.
“The government is sincere, genuine and fully committed to the task, unlike what some MPs are portraying,” he added.
The minister revealed that around 33,000 vacancies are recorded annually, with approximately 14,000 successfully filled – a gap he attributed primarily to employer-imposed conditions rather than a shortage of applicants.
“Some employers require specific professional certifications or English language proficiency that many jobseekers do not meet,” he explained. “In other cases, vacancies receive no applications due to the nature of the work or conditions offered.”
He cited examples such as specialised accounting roles requiring certified qualifications and aviation or customer-facing jobs where language skills are essential.
To tackle repeated rejection patterns, the ministry enrols jobseekers in targeted training programmes– particularly in English language and technical skills – in co-operation with Bahrain Polytechnic and Tamkeen.
“Training is not optional in many cases where reskilling is required,” he said, noting that up to 3,000 jobseekers are expected to benefit from structured rehabilitation pathways lasting six to 12 months.
The minister also highlighted the enforcement of Bahrainisation, with quotas reaching 50pc in some sectors and penalties of BD500 per unfilled expatriate permit where targets are missed.
Special focus has also been placed on persons with disabilities, he added.
In 2025, 1,785 job opportunities were allocated to them, with around 1,300 currently employed in the private sector. Wage support under Tamkeen’s Disability Support Initiative starts at 80pc in the first year and tapers over three years.
Government-owned and semi-government companies, he added, are playing a growing role. Since October, 566 Bahrainis have been employed across such entities.
“This is a practical translation of government directives into real opportunities in key sectors,” he said.
However, several MPs, including Parliament first vice-chairman Abdulnabi Salman and Dr Ali Al Nuaimi criticised the ministry’s performance, raising concerns over governance and calling for greater accountability.
MP Dr Abdulhakim Al Sheno said Bahrainis were simply seeking dignity. “They want jobs that match their qualifications, or at least roles where they can contribute,” he said.
Labour probe committee chairwoman Jalila Al Sayed claimed that employers continued to choose expatriates despite higher costs.
Parliament’s foreign affairs, defence and national security committee vice-chairman Abdulla Al Romaihi cited cases in which business administration graduates were allegedly offered roles unrelated to their qualifications, including pilots or gym instructors. Financial and economic affairs committee chairman MP Ahmed Al Salloom defended the National Employment System, saying regional circumstances had slowed procedures but that momentum could be restored.
Strategic Thinking Bloc spokesman MP Khalid Bu Onk called for policy reform to clear the backlog of unemployed Bahrainis.
Despite the sharp exchanges, Mr Khalaf maintained that success should be measured by sustainable employment quality rather than raw vacancy numbers.
“The labour market is dynamic,” he said. “Our goal is to ensure Bahrainis are competitive, trained and ready and that opportunities translate into long-term careers.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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