Priority for Bahrainis, but shortage in niche roles persist, CSB reports

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) confirmed that it remains committed to its policy of prioritising Bahrainis for government positions, although fields such as genomics and hydrographic surveying continue to pose challenges, despite a 23% reduction in foreign hires since 2019.

In response to a parliamentary question from MP Hassan Ebrahim, the bureau reiterated that Bahrainisation is central to its hiring practices.

The CSB reported a significant decline in the number of foreign workers in government roles, from 7,582 in 2019 to 5,800 this year, representing a decrease of over 1,700 workers.

Temporary contracts make up 14% of the non-Bahraini workforce in government entities, with the majority employed in the health and education sectors, where they represent 31.5% and 58.5% of the workforce, respectively.

Before advertising a job, the bureau conducts thorough checks of available databases to ensure no qualified Bahrainis are available. Foreign hires are considered only as a last resort.

However, some specialised fields, such as molecular biology, maritime medicine, agricultural sciences, and water geology, remain difficult to fill with Bahraini candidates. The CSB acknowledged the challenge of sourcing local talent for these roles.

To address this gap, efforts are being made to train Bahrainis for these specialised positions. Additionally, all foreign employees are required by contract to train Bahrainis as part of their job.

The bureau also highlighted its ‘Shawaghir’ platform, which supports the advancement of public sector workers into higher positions within the government.