MPs: Link CR to quotas Government says nay

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

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Bahrainisation rate is on the rise, and no further measures are required to boost if further at this time. For, the current initiatives are sufficient to encourage businesses to hire more Bahrainis.

This was stated by Ghanim bin Fadhl AlBuainain, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, in response to MPs who had called for stricter enforcement of Bahrainisation quotas for commercial establishments.

The MPs suggested that the renewal of commercial registrations should be conditioned on meeting Bahrainisation targets, meaning businesses would be unable to renew their licences if they did not employ enough Bahrainis.

However, the minister rejected this idea, arguing that the current BD500 fine for non-compliance is already a significant deterrent. “Imposing more stringent measures could suffocate businesses and have adverse effects,” he warned.

The minister also dismissed a proposal to establish a joint committee to monitor wage support for Bahraini workers, saying it would be redundant as such monitoring is already included in the National Employment Programme. He emphasized, “Employers are prohibited from reducing benefits or dismissing workers without following the proper legal process.”

Tamkeen’s Role in Wage Support The wage support mechanism is under the strict oversight of Tamkeen, which has established a hotline and an email service to report unfair treatment.

Additionally, inspection campaigns have been intensified. “Tamkeen has extended the inspection period by another year and increased site visits,” the minister revealed.

Training Initiatives Besides, the government has also introduced training schemes to prepare Bahrainis for management roles, with some industries expected to maintain Bahrainisation rates of up to 50%.

Addressing Wage Support Gaps Regarding potential gaps in wage support, the minister assured MPs that the Labour Ministry and Tamkeen have systems in place to ensure workers receive their full wages. “There are severe penalties for employers found breaking the law,” he added.

The minister also highlighted that strong deterrent measures are in place to deal with cases of fraudulent employment or wage manipulation. He encouraged workers to report any dismissals through the newly established support line.

Appreciation for MPs’ Efforts The minister thanked the MPs for their commitment to securing jobs for Bahrainis, acknowledging that their efforts align with the government’s initiatives. “We will continue to protect the interests of our citizens and ensure their job security,” he stressed.