Push for job Bahrainization

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com   

The Council of Representatives is currently grappling with a proposal aimed at bolstering job opportunities for Bahraini citizens.

The Services Committee is reviewing a draft law that would impose a 30% cap on the number of foreign workers allowed in commercial establishments. This proposed legislation, if enacted, would significantly impact the country’s labour market dynamics.

The proposed law is rooted in the desire to promote “Bahrainization,” a national policy aimed at increasing the employment of Bahraini citizens in various sectors.

The law seeks to achieve this goal through a two-pronged approach: establishing a fixed percentage of foreign workers permitted in each commercial establishment, and imposing substantial financial penalties for exceeding this limit.

The proposed fees, which could reach up to 20% of a foreign worker’s salary, are intended to act as a deterrent for businesses that rely heavily on foreign labour.

Phased increase

Beyond the immediate 30% cap, the proposal also envisions a phased increase in Bahrainization rates over time.

This would involve setting a maximum ceiling for foreign workers within the National Labour Market Plan, a comprehensive framework designed to guide the country’s labour market development.

This ceiling would apply not only to commercial establishments but also to the overall labour market, effectively limiting the total number of foreign workers permitted to work in Bahrain.

Furthermore, the proposed law mandates that the National Labour Market Plan include a maximum limit on the total number of work permits issued by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) within a specific timeframe.

Greater control

This limit could be applied across all sectors or tailored to specific professions and economic activities, providing greater control over the flow of foreign workers into the country.

The proposed law does, however, acknowledge the need for flexibility in certain sectors where a sufficient pool of Bahraini workers is not readily available. Exemptions would be granted for specific professions, as well as for domestic workers.

The proponents of the proposed law draw upon several articles of the Bahraini Constitution, particularly Article 10, which emphasises the importance of social justice and fair cooperation between the public and private sectors.

Economic development

The article underscores the objective of economic development based on a planned strategy and the pursuit of prosperity for all citizens.

The proposed law, currently under review by the Services Committee, is expected to face significant debate in the Council of Representatives.

The potential impact on businesses, particularly those heavily reliant on foreign workers, and the feasibility of achieving the desired Bahrainization goals are among the key concerns that will be scrutinised during the legislative process.

The outcome of this debate will have far-reaching implications for Bahrain’s labour market and its economic future.