Government-owned companies could be mandated to advertise job vacancies in local newspapers, if MPs have their way.
Five legislators led by foreign affairs, defence and national security committee vice-chairman Hassan Ibrahim have proposed the move, which they claim would enhance employment opportunities for citizens and increase the Bahrainisation rates in government-owned companies.
It will be debated and voted on during Tuesday’s weekly Parliament session.
Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the country’s sovereign wealth fund, responded to the proposal by highlighting its hiring policies and efforts to increase Bahrainisation within its subsidiaries.
While agreeing with the proposal’s objectives, the fund pointed out the need to balance national employment goals with corporate independence, as Bahraini law grants these companies financial and administrative autonomy to manage their internal affairs.
Mumtalakat said that over the past few years, the proportion of Bahraini employees in national companies had steadily increased.
“Around 85 per cent of the workforce in Mumtalakat and its major subsidiaries such as Alba, Edamah and Gulf Air are Bahrainis,” it added.
“Bahrain Airport Company increased its Bahrainisation rate from 80pc in 2019 to approximately 96pc in 2023.
“The fund also advertised more than 2,000 job openings between 2020 and 2023.
“Job vacancies were widely published across various platforms, including the Labour Ministry’s employment portal, official websites, LinkedIn and other social media platforms, and recruitment agencies.
“Gulf Air has actively hosted recruitment fairs for flight attendants as part of its national and social responsibility to hire more Bahrainis.
“The airline has launched several joint programmes with Tamkeen to recruit Bahraini pilots, achieving 100pc Bahrainisation for Second and First Officer pilot positions.
“A partnership between Silah Gulf and Tamkeen was announced to increase the salaries of more than 200 Bahraini employees,” Mumtalakat added.
Mr Ibrahim called on state-owned companies (where the government owns more than 50pc of shares) to uphold their responsibility to hire and train more citizens.
“Government-owned companies must ensure that Bahrainis have fair access to job opportunities,” he added.
“By requiring them to publicly advertise vacancies in local newspapers, we eliminate unnecessary barriers and ensure transparency in hiring processes. Bahrainis deserve to be the first choice in their own country.”
He further highlighted the importance of aligning educational programmes and scholarships with job market needs, ensuring that future graduates are equipped with the skills required by the private and public sectors.
“We also need a long-term strategy,” explained Mr Ibrahim. “By identifying jobs currently held by expatriates, we can co-ordinate with the Education Ministry to provide scholarships and training in those fields, preparing Bahrainis to take on these roles in the future.”
Mr Ibrahim
Meanwhile, MPs are also set to debate a proposal that would oblige the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) to check on the qualifications and credentials of expatriates before granting work permits.
It has been presented by five MPs led by services committee chairwoman MP Jalila Al Sayed.
Ms Al Sayed
LMRA chief executive Nibras Talib said requests for specialised work permits are never issued to employers without a letter from the concerned ministry or government body that checks all the documentations presented.
“The same applies for requests to have expats switch jobs,” he added.
“There are also checks that we conduct to ensure that those hired are legitimately accredited, certified and verified.
“As for certain jobs such as accounting, we haven’t received any alert on false certificates or documentation.”
Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma said that all certificates are checked in partnership with the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), the Council for Regulating the Practice of Engineering Professions, Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry, and the Civil Service Commission.
Also set for debate is a proposal by MP Muneer Suroor to allow civil servants to accumulate up to 100 days of annual leave, rather than the current maximum of 75 days.
The Civil Service Commission warned that employees deserve time-off and should take holidays whenever there is lesser work. However, it added, that an arrangement has been made for them to use up their annual leave and go on longer holidays once their work is completed.
Other proposals set for debate and vote:
* Granting civil servants three days for mourning the death of a spouse or a relative up to the fourth degree.
* Allocating funding to the Competition Encouragement and Protection Authority.
* Banning trucks and heavy vehicles from using the turn flyovers on Al Fateh Highway.
* Constructing a multi-purpose hall in the Muharraq Governorate’s block 223.
* Constructing a jetty for Riffa’s fishermen.
* Increasing the age limit for widowed, abandoned or divorced Bahraini women, with children, so that they benefit from social housing services until the age of 60 instead of the current 50.
&uuid=(email))