6,390 expatriates hired for temporary roles in key public sector jobs

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Expatriates now occupy 6,390 temporary positions across Bahrain’s public sector, predominantly in health and education, the Civil Service Bureau (CBS) has disclosed.

These roles, filled under strict conditions, reflect a reliance on foreign expertise where qualified Bahrainis are unavailable. The Bureau revealed that these expatriates are hired only after vacancies are advertised on the Job Portal or through the electronic recruitment system.

The figures show that 3,525 expatriates work in education, 2,157 in healthcare, 417 in engineering, 231 in technical roles, and 60 in consultancy, all on temporary contracts.

Staffing demands

This approach allows the government to respond flexibly to staffing demands without committing to permanent hires.

In a January briefing to a parliamentary investigative committee, the Bureau outlined its role in scrutinising employment contracts submitted by government entities.

It ensures that positions meet genuine requirements before granting preliminary approval. However, the final decision to proceed lies with the requesting authority.

Since 2020, fewer than 1,227 contracts have been signed, with responsibility for finalising agreements resting on the entities themselves.

To bridge gaps and manage urgent demands, the Bureau has also turned to Bahraini private sector firms, approving 16 contracts between 2020 and 2023.

These agreements cover a range of services, including IT support, customer service, cleaning, and security, enabling the government to meet operational needs while managing expenses.