Asry's Nationalization Efforts Face Challenges Despite Progress, Parliamentary Report Reveals
TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com
A parliamentary committee investigating job nationalization in Bahrain has released a report revealing that while Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (Asry) has increased its Bahraini workforce, significant challenges remain. The report shows that Asry's nationalization rate reached 33.3% in 2023, up from 25.3% in 2020. However, this progress is overshadowed by the continued high number of foreign employees.
The company reported 1344 foreign employees compared to 672 Bahraini employees. The report highlights the long-term employment of many foreign workers, with 68 having had their contracts renewed five times, 169 four times, 118 three times, 92 twice, and 114 once.
Foreign workers are predominantly employed in manual labour, technical, and specialised roles requiring skills in electricity, mechanics, welding, maritime work, and quantitative surveying.
The annual cost of foreign employees in 2023 was BD9,734,000, slightly higher than the BD9,005,000 in a previous year. The report indicated that the average salary for foreign nationals in executive positions is BD7699, compared to BD8450 for Bahrainis in similar positions.
Asry has outlined plans to address these imbalances through a comprehensive nationalization strategy focusing on placing Bahraini nationals in leadership and sensitive positions. Currently, 27 Bahrainis are undergoing training for such roles.
The company is also collaborating with international universities, such as Oman International College, to provide Bahraini nationals with specialised maritime certifications, aiming to eventually fill the role of ship captain through a four-year program combining academic study and practical training. Asry intends to expand this initiative to attract more Bahraini candidates.
Related Posts