Key concerns raised by MPs during a parliamentary session covering employment programmes, labour market regulations and legislative reforms were addressed by Acting Labour Minister and Legal Affairs Minister Yousif Khalaf.
Mr Khalaf responded by confirming that the Labour Ministry was actively studying ‘high-demand’ jobs that could accommodate large numbers of Bahraini job-seekers.
“We’re working closely with the Education Ministry to develop academic qualifications that enable Bahrainis to enter key professions,” he said. “Additionally, companies cannot legally reject a candidate without proper justification, and any employer violating labour laws or imposing unfair conditions on workers will face legal action,” Mr Khalaf stressed.
“Ensuring that job-seekers adhere to eligibility criteria is crucial. We are currently reviewing all procedures, including government notification systems, to improve communication and reduce misunderstandings.”
Mr Khalaf also addressed the government’s approach to legal reforms, particularly the role of judicial rulings in shaping legislation.
“The government closely monitors Supreme Court rulings and assesses whether legal amendments are necessary based on judicial outcomes,” he stated. “Any necessary legislative adjustments would be considered based on judicial interpretations and evolving legal needs.”
He was responding to four questions by Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee chairman MP Ahmed Al Salloom, foreign affairs, defence and national security committee chairman MP Hassan Bukhammas, and MPs Mohsin Al Asbool and Mohammed Al Ahmed.
Mr Al Salloom raised concerns over the low employment rate of trainees under the Foras Programme, a government initiative aimed at providing university graduates with job training opportunities.
“We are talking about a year-long training period, during which companies benefit from these trainees. Why don’t these companies hire them afterwards? I’m not accusing businesses of wrongdoing, but we need an evaluation to identify the gaps and shortcomings in the programme,” Mr Al Salloom said.
He suggested that the Labour Ministry should focus on companies that genuinely need employees or introduce incentives for companies that hire trainees after the programme.
“We must develop a future plan for Foras, targeting key sectors that require Bahraini talent, especially in emerging industries such as technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and financial technology.”
The goal should be to ‘increase and even double’ the number of trainees successfully hired in the suggested fields of employment, he added.
Meanwhile, Mr Bukhammas highlighted issues related to the unemployment allowance, stating that three per cent of recipients lose their benefits due to failure to attend electronic check-ins.
He also noted that many citizens have complained about receiving calls at inconvenient hours regarding their job search requirements.
Also, Mr Al Asbool highlighted the rising numbers of unemployed Bahrainis, calling for an assessment of private security companies that win government contracts but fail to prioritise Bahraini employment.
“Where is the commitment to Bahrainis as the first choice? We need tailored training programmes that align with the actual needs of the job market,” Mr Al Asbool urged.
Speaking, Mr Al Ahmed argued that the judiciary should have a more active role in legislative proposals, given that courts deal with legal disputes on a daily basis. “In some legal systems, courts explicitly recommend legislative changes,” he said.
“While this is not common in Arab legal traditions, fostering better collaboration between the judiciary and Parliament is essential.
“The Supreme Judicial Council and judges have valuable insights that could be useful in legislative improvements,” he suggested.
Meanwhile, MPs postponed the whole planned schedule to dedicate time to discuss the 2025-2026 national state budget, which took around six-and-a-half hours.
They unanimously approved a proposal to issue a statement on Bahraini Youth Day and deputised Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam to issue it on their behalf.
Ministers and MPs in Parliament
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