Requiring a Master’s Degree for All Foreign Employees 'Not Feasible,' Says Minister

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

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Minister of Parliamentary and Shura Council Affairs, Ghanim Al-Buainain, announced a significant reduction in the number of foreign employees in Bahrain's public sector, reporting a 17% decrease compared to previous periods. The updated figures, from October 2024, reveal that the current number of foreign employees in the government sector has fallen to 5,800.

Speaking before the Council of Representatives, Minister Al-Buainain addressed the issue of foreign employees’ qualifications, dismissing the idea of mandating a Master’s degree for all government positions held by non-Bahrainis. He explained that, in most cases, a bachelor's degree is the required qualification for government jobs, making a blanket requirement for higher degrees "not feasible."

"Requiring a Master’s degree across the board would be impractical. The qualifications we demand are already aligned with job needs, and a bachelor’s degree is sufficient for the majority of positions," he stated.

The minister further clarified that there are currently 28 government positions that do not require a Master’s degree, and, despite these vacancies, no Bahraini applicants have come forward to fill these roles.

Al-Buainain’s comments came as part of ongoing parliamentary discussions aimed at assessing the role of foreign workers in Bahrain’s public sector and exploring ways to further nationalize the workforce. The government’s efforts to balance the employment of foreign workers with opportunities for Bahrainis remain a key topic of debate among lawmakers.