Bahrain News: Number of expats in civil services ‘drops 23 per cent’

Eighty-six per cent of civil servants are Bahrainis with the number of expatriates in the sector dropping by 23 per cent from 2019 until the end of last year, Shura Council members heard.

Civil Service Commission chief Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa said 35,663 Bahrainis were under the payrolls of ministries and government agencies while 5,800 foreigners worked in these departments last year.

“There were 7,582 expats doing civil service jobs in 2019 but we now have only 5,800, which is a 23pc drop,” said Shaikh Daij.

“We only allow hiring of expats in limited capacities, wherever and whenever needed, and that’s when no suitable Bahrainis are found for those roles,” he added.

“Contracts of expat workers are not renewed unless it is proven that no suitable Bahraini is available and work could be disrupted if the role remains vacant for long.

“Also, hired expats have different credentials, work experience, qualifications and backgrounds and we check and validate that they are much needed.”

Shaikh Daij was commenting on a proposed bill that restricts the hiring of expatriates in the government sector. It’s expected to be debated during the weekly session on Sunday.

The government-drafted amendments to the 2010 Civil Service Law, based on a parliamentary proposal, stipulates that expatriates be hired only if suitable Bahraini candidates aren’t available. It also sets new conditions on expats’ work experiences, educational qualifications and job contracts.

Under the proposal, expatriate candidates should hold at least a Master’s degree in their area of specialisation, in addition to a minimum of 10 years’ experience in the field.

Employment contracts must be signed for a maximum of two years. It can be renewed only for a similar period after ensuring that no suitable Bahraini candidate is available, and following the approval of a panel formed by the Civil Services Commission.

It was approved by MPs unanimously in October, but Shura’s legislative and legal affairs committee is recommending its rejection.

“Making Master’s degree mandatory could complicate things, especially if a job doesn’t need such certificates,” pointed out Shaikh Daij.

“Also, it will complicate things for Bahrainis wishing to take up those posts since the new requirements would also be applicable to them.

“It is about the seat, job descriptions and duties associated with it – not the individual.

“We are reviewing labour market changes to identify potential candidates and possible recruitment.”

He pointed out that most expats were in the medical, education and higher education professions.

“Ninety per cent of expats are in these three professions that cannot be disrupted and is in need of continuous feed of qualified manpower,” he said.

“Under contract, expats are obliged to train Bahrainis to take over whenever their contracts end.”

Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain, who is politically responsible for the commission, explained that there were 28 jobs that don’t require a Master’s degree and yet no Bahraini has applied for the roles.

The Cabinet has called for a rethink, pointing out that the proposal was illogical as foreigners were being brought in only to fill the void and not to permanently occupy a post.

mohammed@gdnmedia.bh

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