MPs have called on the government to tighten oversight of companies that dismiss Bahraini employees once wage and employment support from Tamkeen ends, urging legal action against violators, including referral to the Public Prosecution where necessary.
The proposal by five MPs is led by financial and economic affairs committee vice-chairwoman Zainab Abdulamir.
In the explanatory memorandum, the legislators claimed that some firms hire Bahrainis during the government-backed support period and dismiss them once the subsidy expires, undermining the very purpose of the programme.
Ms Abdulamir said the proposal aims to protect both public funds and job stability for citizens.
“These programmes were designed to empower Bahrainis and create sustainable employment, not to be used as temporary financial relief for businesses,” she said.
The MPs said such practices convert empowerment initiatives into short-term gains for employers, while leaving workers facing sudden unemployment and financial insecurity.
The proposal warns that this behaviour results in wasteful public spending, with funds disbursed without achieving long-term developmental returns. It also contributes to unstable job turnover, which negatively affects productivity and labour market efficiency.
“When an employee is dismissed immediately after support ends, the state loses twice – financially and socially,” Ms Abdulamir added.
The memorandum also raises legal concerns, noting that exploiting government support contrary to its intended purpose may amount to misuse of public funds, warranting stronger accountability measures and, in serious cases, referral to the competent prosecution.
MPs say current follow-up mechanisms after the end of the support period are insufficient to deter violations, calling for the development of a stricter oversight framework. This includes verifying employment continuity for a reasonable period after support ends and introducing penalties for non-compliant entities.
The proposal also recommends linking eligibility for support programmes to clear performance indicators related to job sustainability, as well as creating integrated databases to monitor employment patterns and enable early intervention.
“We want to refine the system so that support goes to entities that are genuinely committed to long-term employment of Bahrainis,” she said.
MPs warned that without decisive action, Bahrainis could be discouraged from pursuing such opportunities.
The proposal has been submitted for urgent discussion under Parliament’s procedures.
Meanwhile, a group of MPs has submitted an urgent proposal calling on the government to swiftly recruit qualified Bahraini citizens into existing vacancies and create new posts in entities facing staffing shortages.
The proposal by five MPs is led by Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee chairman and Strategic Thinking Bloc president MP Ahmed Al Salloom.
The MPs stressed that the smooth and consistent functioning of the government apparatus requires urgent reinforcement with qualified national personnel, particularly in vital agencies experiencing human resource shortages that could affect performance and service delivery.
“Bahrain is rich with capable and qualified citizens ready to assume responsibility. The priority now is to ensure that vacancies are not left unfilled while services expand and workloads increase across government entities,” he said.
Mr Al Salloom claimed that some government bodies are operating under increasing pressure due to rising demands and exceptional circumstances, making it necessary to create additional posts where required to maintain institutional readiness.
He also highlighted the potential role of the National Volunteer Platform as a recruitment support mechanism during exceptional periods.
“Volunteers have proven their ability to carry national responsibility under diverse conditions. This platform can serve as a valuable source to identify capable individuals and bridge temporary staffing gaps until permanent recruitment is completed,” he added.
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