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A constitutional amendment to mandate job opportunities for nationals was presented by 23 MPs yesterday.
Spearheaded by Abdulwahid Qarata, the proposal seeks to amend paragraph (b) of Article 13 of Bahrain’s Constitution, making it obligatory on the government to provide genuine job opportunities for Bahrainis based on their academic and professional qualifications.
The recommendation was based on Article 92 of the Constitution and Articles 87 and 90 of the Parliament’s internal regulations.
Mr Qarata
Mr Qarata said that the proposed amendment was intended to go beyond the current constitutional language, which merely refers to the right to work, and instead impose a direct duty on the state to ensure fairness in employment conditions and to actively provide real employment opportunities for citizens.
“This aligns with Bahrain’s national vision of achieving sustainable development through social justice and equal opportunity,” he said.
The proposed amendment would replace the current wording of paragraph (b) of Article 13 with the following:
“The state shall guarantee the priority of providing job opportunities to citizens and fairness in employment conditions, in accordance with their scientific and professional qualifications.”
According to Mr Qarata, the proposal was in response to pressing challenges in the kingdom’s labour market, including rising unemployment among citizens, disparities in opportunities between Bahrainis and expatriates and the need to promote both economic and social stability.
He emphasised that the amendment enhanced the state’s accountability in employment matters by ensuring a clear legal priority for citizens in hiring decisions, while maintaining principles of meritocracy and non-discrimination.
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