MPs propose two-year employment contract limits for expats in public sector

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

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Expats in Bahrain’s public sector could face strict two-year contract limits, as MPs push for a bold new hiring policy to prioritise local talent and address rising job concerns for Bahrainis.

A proposal to amend Article 11 of the Civil Service Law aims to restrict foreign workers’ contracts to two years, focusing on a gradual handover of public sector roles to Bahrainis.

Currently, the law allows non-Bahrainis to fill roles temporarily if no qualified local candidate is available, but under the new proposal, expat contracts would end after two years, during which Bahrainis would be trained to take over.

Duty

MPs behind this proposal emphasise the importance of ‘public service as a duty held chiefly for citizens’, a principle grounded in Article 16 of the Constitution.

Mohammed Al Olaiwi, Jaleela Al Sayed, and three other MPs introduced the amendment, which seeks to ensure that Bahrainis can step confidently into public roles, either by learning from foreign workers or through specialist training. “This proposal introduces a clear limit on contract terms,” the MPs said in an explanatory note.

“It ensures Bahrainis are trained and ready to take over within two years.”

Responsibility

The plan also assigns the Civil Service Bureau responsibility for setting guidelines on foreign hires, making sure they align with national aims.

The MPs argue that a cap on foreign hires would help speed up the development of a skilled Bahraini workforce, reducing dependence on expatriates in public roles.

They further noted the wider benefits, saying the change could “help to address unemployment, reduce the number of job seekers, and provide Bahrainis with greater stability in their careers.”

Stability

By prioritising citizens for public roles, they believe the government can build social and economic stability, ultimately benefiting the broader economy.

The proposal has now been forwarded to the parliamentary committee for review and will be debated in Parliament. If passed, the two-year cap on foreign public sector contracts could mark a major change in Bahrain’s approach to public hiring, putting Bahraini talent firmly at the forefront.