Reward companies that recruit Bahrainis, says MP

Manama : A Bahraini legislator called for “rewarding companies that are committed to maintaining Bahrainisation percentages and are keen on recruiting Bahraini candidates in high posts”.

This came during the weekly session of the Parliament yesterday, when MP Adel Hameed discussed with Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel Humaidan the unemployment percentages of Bahrainis and the efforts paid to integrate them with the local labour market.

According to the minister, there are around 7000 unemployed Bahrainis, mostly university graduates and females.

Hameed said in his speech, “The ministry should do more to integrate Bahrainis with the private sector. Some companies deliberately marginlise Bahraini workers and allocate small jobs to them, while expats have the big positions.”

“The ministry should reward the companies that employee Bahrainis in high posts. They should be treated differently by the authorities, by reducing fees, and granting them with incentives and support. Higher Education Council is opening up majors that are not required in the local labour market. The ministry should cooperate with the council to close these majors and help the Bahraini youth in being recruited in desired fields,” Hameed stated.

Humaidan welcomed the MP’s recommendation, stating, “The idea of supporting cooperative companies is good and we will look into it.”

He added, “We’re focusing on employing females as they form the largest segment of unemployed in Bahrain. We’re organising many job exhibitions in many specialities and provide incentives that are not offered by other countries such as supporting salaries and offering free training.”