The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that Bahrainis remain the top priority for private‑sector employment, alongside intensifying efforts to combat delayed salary payments and protect workers’ livelihoods.
Labour and Legal Affairs Minister Yousif Khalaf yesterday stressed that the government’s policies are designed to strike a careful balance between supporting economic growth and protecting employment opportunities for citizens.
The minister explained that employers seeking to recruit foreign workers from abroad face a mandatory 21-day waiting period before work permit approval. During this time, vacancies must be advertised locally in newspapers for seven days and qualified Bahraini candidates interviewed. “This mechanism ensures Bahrainis are given a genuine first opportunity to compete for available jobs,” he said, noting that vacancies are also posted on the National Employment Platform.
Mr Khalaf revealed that 505,998 expatriates were currently employed in Bahrain’s private sector under valid work permits. According to official data, expatriate employment is most concentrated in trade and vehicle repair (124,503 workers), construction (118,666) and accommodation and food services (63,881), followed by manufacturing (54,022) and administrative and support services (40,104).
The minister also revealed that 152,106 expatriates in the commercial sector have been with the same employer for more than five years, reflecting workforce stability in key technical and operational roles.
However, as of October last year, 17,185 workers – 5,748 in the commercial sector and 11,437 domestic workers – were still residing in Bahrain despite expired permits, reinforcing the need for sustained inter-agency co‑ordination to curb irregular employment.
The minister also revealed that more than 2,300 complaints on delayed salaries were lodged between 2022 and 2025, with cases rising steadily to 537 last year.
He said all private-sector employers have been required to join the Wage Protection System since 2019, enabling electronic monitoring of payments through banks and approved providers. Despite the complaints, compliance among enrolled establishments has reached 99.3pc since the start of the current legislative term.
He reaffirmed that existing penalties – including fines and mandatory compensation to workers – were sufficient.
“Protecting workers’ rights and maintaining a fair, stable labour market remain central to our national priorities,” he added.
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