Parliament calls for reform after finding flaws in workforce management and Bahrainisation compliance

TDT | Manama

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In a growing storm of controversy, lawmakers are raising their voices against what they describe as a series of alarming inconsistencies in the handling of workforce contracts across Bahrain’s ministries.

From repeated supplier renewals to inconsistent Bahrainisation quotas and the questionable use of public funds, ministries are under fire for practices that have left many puzzled and concerned.

A detailed investigation by a parliamentary committee has uncovered a disturbing trend: ministries are heavily relying on temporary contracts, outsourcing vital services, and even rehiring retired government employees.

In doing so, they are often bypassing legal safeguards—while persistently reporting staffing shortages.

The probe, launched in November 2023, casts a critical eye on how ministries and state-run companies have been handling hiring, procurement, and Bahrainisation compliance.

Lawmakers asked: Are the rules being followed when it comes to hiring? Are ministries assessing staffing needs before outsourcing? And, most importantly, is the contract process transparent and fair?

The Concerns

The inquiry revealed several recurring issues.

One concern highlighted was the funding of contracts through project budgets rather than operational funds, which risks distorting the state’s financial planning. This shift has made development spending appear higher than it actually is.

Long-Term Reliance

The committee also noted that some ministries repeatedly renewed contracts with the same suppliers, leading to a long-term dependence on external firms. This was particularly evident in IT, consultancy, and security services, raising questions about whether some "temporary" contracts had effectively turned into permanent arrangements.

Deprived Bahraini Jobs

The committee pointed out that the reliance on temporary, part-time, and outsourced roles deprived many Bahraini workers of stable employment benefits, such as salaries and long-term job security. It specifically mentioned how ministries were outsourcing tasks like security and IT maintenance—areas where a locally trained workforce could potentially be employed.

Third-Party Contractors

Some ministries defended their use of third-party contractors, citing recruitment challenges and skill shortages. The Ministry of Works, for example, reported an 86% Bahrainisation rate, explaining that foreign workers were hired only when no suitable Bahraini candidates were available. Similarly, the Ministry of Health noted the need to hire overseas professionals for specialised medical roles but assured that all suppliers adhered to Bahrainisation certification rules.

The Loophole

However, the committee found a significant loophole: current laws only require Bahrainisation targets to be met across a company’s entire workforce, not within individual contracts. This allowed some suppliers to meet legal quotas on paper while employing fewer Bahrainis on government projects. The committee recommended that Bahrainisation standards be applied on a contract-by-contract basis and that non-compliance be penalised with fines rather than administrative fees.

Rehiring Retired Employees

The committee also raised concerns over ministries rehiring retired government employees through third-party suppliers, effectively bypassing the rules of Bahrain’s voluntary retirement scheme. In some cases, retirees returned to their former roles under new contracts, despite official restrictions against such practices.

CSB Helpless

The Civil Service Bureau (CSB), central to the investigation, reviewed 1,227 labour supply requests between 2020 and November 2023, covering consultancy, specialist roles, and support services such as maintenance and cleaning. However, the CSB clarified that its approval was only preliminary, with the power to finalise contracts resting solely with the relevant ministries.

Points System

The committee also proposed awarding suppliers’ additional points when bidding if they exceeded Bahrainisation targets, taking inspiration from Bapco’s tendering approach. It urged ministries to provide clear justifications for staff shortages before outsourcing roles and recommended reinstating essential but previously eliminated positions, such as drivers, security guards, and maintenance staff, to reduce reliance on external suppliers.

Call for Deeper Reform

In conclusion, the parliamentary committee acknowledged some progress in hiring Bahraini staff but emphasised that deeper reforms were needed to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in public-sector hiring. It called for the implementation of the National Audit Office’s recommendations from the past three years and for stronger laws governing Bahrain’s workforce contracts.