Parliamentary report calls for stricter Bahrainisation policies in key sectors

TDT | Manama

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Government offices continue to rely heavily on foreign consultants, while key sectors like healthcare, education, and banking avoid setting quotas for hiring Bahrainis, according to a parliamentary investigation.

The report reveals that many government departments bypass restrictions on hiring expatriates, and private companies in critical sectors fail to guarantee local employment. Government-owned companies were also criticised.

The investigation also highlighted that Bahrainis are often overlooked for scholarships in high-demand fields, with limited opportunities for practical training.

To address this, the committee proposed several solutions. These include setting quotas for Bahraini workers in private hospitals, schools, and universities, and urging government-owned companies to ensure at least 90% of their workforce is local. The committee also called for stricter oversight to prevent expatriates from filling positions that Bahrainis are qualified for and recommended that Tamkeen fund practical training to help locals transition into the workforce more smoothly.

The report further suggested stronger hiring policies in the private sector, particularly for senior roles and HR departments, which should be reserved for Bahrainis. Private companies meeting these targets would be rewarded with incentives, while government agencies would be required to provide regular progress updates.

However, the investigation faced setbacks. Some ministries and government bodies were criticised for delaying or failing to provide requested data.

On a positive note, the report acknowledged several government entities that have achieved full Bahrainisation, including the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Electricity and Water Affairs, Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, and Ministry of Youth Affairs. Municipal councils in the capital, Muharraq, and other regions, along with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority, were also praised for having no expatriate employees.

The Parliamentary Investigation Committee on Bahrainisation, led by MPs Basema Mubarak, Hassan Ebrahim, Hamad Al Doy, and Hanan Fardan, is set to present its findings to Parliament on Tuesday.