MPs push to replace expats with Bahraini graduates in wide range of professions

TDT | Manama

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Engineers, security guards, and accountants — all could soon be Bahraini if MPs succeed in their push to localise jobs across the kingdom. MP Mohammed Jassim Olaiwi has stepped forward with a proposal aimed at Bahrainising a wide range of professions, from engineering to tourism and hospitality. The plan seeks to give Bahraini citizens a firmer foothold in the job market by replacing expat workers with local graduates, who, the MPs argue, have the necessary qualifications and experience.

According to the accompanying memorandum, Bahrain’s Constitution guarantees citizens the right to work, and the current economic pressures make it more crucial than ever to ensure Bahraini graduates are prioritised for roles they are well-equipped to handle. “The Bahraini citizen’s capacity for responsibility is undeniable,” the memorandum states, emphasising that they must be allowed to prove their worth in a range of fields.

The proposal rests on the provisions of Article 68 of the Constitution, which grants MPs the authority to make formal requests to the government, and on Articles 127 and 128 of the Council of Representatives’ internal regulations. It calls for a broad shift in employment practices, with local talent being placed at the forefront of the nation’s workforce.

Immediate action

Addressed to Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, Speaker of the Council of Representatives, the proposal urges immediate action to address the growing concern over expat employment, which MPs warn is jeopardising the prospects of Bahrainis. The proposal is backed by Jaleela Al Sayed, Abdulwahid Qarata, Abdulnabi Salman, and Lulwa Al Rumaihi. If the proposal gains traction, it could mark a considerable transformation in Bahrain’s labour market, with Bahraini citizens taking on more professional roles traditionally held by expats.