Proposed amendments to restrict expatriate hiring in Bahrain’s civil service were discussed but shelved, as the Shura Council yesterday upheld its previous stance against the changes.
The proposal sought to amend Article (11) of the Civil Service Law of 2010 by imposing stricter statutory requirements on contracting non-Bahrainis, including a minimum master’s degree, at least 10 years of experience, two-year renewable contracts and mandatory training of Bahraini staff.
The issue was brought back to the Shura Council yesterday after Parliament insisted on its earlier approval of the amendment.
Following a debate, the council unanimously maintained its position, effectively bringing the legislative process to an end in line with constitutional procedures.
Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain, who is politically responsible for the Civil Service Commission, stressed that the existing legal framework already gives absolute priority to Bahraini nationals in public sector employment.
“The current legislation already addresses national employment in a comprehensive manner,” Mr Al Buainain said.
“Professional certificates that are directly related to the job description and work environment are taken into account, and in many cases they are more valuable than a master’s degree.”
He noted that the Civil Service Law and its executive regulations ensure expatriates are appointed only as an exception, and only when no qualified Bahraini candidates are available.
“Nationalisation policies must be effective and practical,” he said. “The law already achieves this by prioritising Bahrainis while allowing limited flexibility to meet genuine operational needs.”
The Shura Council’s legislative and legal affairs committee reiterated that the proposed amendment added no substantive legal value. Committee chairwoman Dalal Al Zayed said the objectives of the proposal were already fully achieved through existing legislation, regulations and binding directives issued by the Civil Service Commission.
“The Constitution clearly prioritises Bahrainis for public office, and the Civil Service Law was enacted to implement this principle,” Ms Al Zayed said.
“Introducing rigid statutory conditions could reduce flexibility without enhancing outcomes.”
The committee cited official data showing that expatriate employment contracts in government bodies declined by 23 per cent between 2019 and 2024, describing this as evidence of the effectiveness of current localisation policies.
“This reduction demonstrates that the existing system is working,” Ms Al Zayed said. “What is required is continued enforcement, not legislative duplication.”
Committee rapporteur Dr Abdulaziz Al Ajman noted that Article (16) of the Constitution already establishes Bahraini citizens as the default holders of public office, with foreigners appointed only in clearly defined circumstances.
Several Shura Council members also voiced concern over the nature of the proposed requirements.
Dr Ahmed Al Arrayed pointed out that in many professions, such as medicine, law and engineering, professional accreditation and practical expertise are often more relevant than academic postgraduate degrees.
Dr Ali Al Haddad said the council’s stance was not opposition to reform, but a safeguard against piecemeal amendments to what he described as the backbone of the state’s administrative system.
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