*** Government Rejects National Job Bahrainization Observatory Proposal | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Government Rejects National Job Bahrainization Observatory Proposal

TDT | Manama

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The government has rejected a proposal from the House of Representatives to establish a National Observatory for Job Bahrainiization.  The government outlined several reasons for its rejection, highlighting existing initiatives already addressing the issue.

The government stated that the Ministry of Labour has already developed a comprehensive electronic system providing employment, training, and unemployment insurance services. This system serves both job seekers and employers, acting as a central database containing information on job seekers' qualifications, specialisations, and experience, as well as available vacancies, national employment and training processes, and unemployment benefits.  The system also generates various reports required domestically and internationally, the government underscored. 

Furthermore, the government pointed to the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Education, the Higher Education Council, and the University of Bahrain to align university curricula with labour market demands.  This includes focusing on in-demand specialisations and addressing challenges faced by graduates in specific fields. "The Ministry of Labour regularly provides these institutions with data on job seeker specializations and assesses labor market demand for university degrees," the government pointed out. 

The government also highlighted the employment skills platform "Skills Bahrain" initiative, a collaborative project between the public and private sectors currently under development. 
 
This electronic platform will provide comprehensive data on crucial skills and job requirements, informing future policies for government institutions and higher education establishments, and improving educational outcomes to meet labor market needs.  The Information and eGovernment Authority is implementing the project, funded by the Labour Fund (Tamkeen). 

Additionally, the Ministry of Labour, according to the government's response, is working with partners to finalise a project establishing professional levels and skill assessments for issuing professional licenses.  This aims to regulate professions within the labour market and establish professional standards, the government stated. 
 
"The Ministry of Labour is also collaborating with the Ministry of Education to encourage the integration of new school graduates into vocational education and training programmes. Following a Cabinet decision, proposals are being developed to facilitate this integration, introducing students to available technical and vocational careers, their associated salaries, and prospects.  Experienced mentors will guide and train students and job seekers, and training courses will be provided for educators at various levels," the government pointed out. 

Based on these existing initiatives, the government concluded that the proposed National Observatory is redundant and rejected the House of Representatives' proposal.
 
It's worth noting that the proposal was put forward by MP Mohammed Al Hussaini, who lost his parliamentary seat, in July 2023 and called for the government to take the necessary legal steps to establish the observatory and its governing regulations. 
 
Al Hussaini explained that the observatory would monitor current and potential job opportunities in both the public and private sectors, providing accurate and up-to-date data and recommendations to policymakers.