Expats fill 14% of public sector

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Civil Service Bureau has revealed that Bahrainis make up the lion’s share of the public sector workforce, accounting for 86 per cent with 35,663 employees, while foreigners represent 14 per cent, or 5,800 individuals.

Most of these expatriate workers are found in healthcare and education, which together comprise 90 per cent of all non-Bahrainis in government jobs.

Since 2019, the number of foreign workers has fallen by 23 per cent, dropping from 7,582 to 5,800.

Contracts

The bureau explained that hiring and renewing contracts for foreign employees are driven by genuine workforce needs and only occur when no qualified Bahrainis are available.

Before signing off on any renewal, it ensures the absence of suitable Bahraini candidates and provides government entities with a list of local options to fill vacancies.

All employment decisions are tied to strict job evaluation systems to keep things running smoothly.

Tighter restrictions

Meanwhile, the Shura Council’s Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee has called for rejecting a proposed change to the Civil Service Law aimed at imposing tighter restrictions on hiring foreigners.

The amendment, approved earlier by Parliament and set for discussion in the Shura Council’s next session, would allow foreign hires only if no Bahrainis meet the requirements.

It stipulates that non-Bahraini candidates must hold at least a master’s degree, have ten years of experience, and work on contracts limited to two years, with renewals only in exceptional cases.