MP claims Bahraini jobseekers get raw deal

Manama : Taking a pot shot at the current initiatives, Parliament First Deputy Speaker Ali Al Aradi has claimed that Bahraini jobseekers get raw deal in private sector firms and the majority of higher posts are occupied by the expats. 

He also described the existing initiatives to improve the situations of Bahraini employees as “feeble.”  

Calling for urgent measures to enhance the situations of Bahrainis in the private sector, Al Aradi urged for hiring Bahraini jobseekers in companies. In a statement recently, Al Aradi said: “Our ambition is not for Bahrainis to work as car washers, fuel station workers or doing similar jobs. I’m not degrading any of these professions, but it’s necessary for citizens to be hired in decent jobs that allow them to improve, enable them to support their families and contribute in making them a productive energy to build our homeland.”

“Providing decent jobs for citizens isn’t only the responsibility of the government or the private sector. All sectors should be involved in improving the livelihoods of Bahraini citizens. The rapidly increasing numbers of Bahraini graduates makes this a priority,” he remarked.

Regarding the disparity in salary, he alleged: “It’s unacceptable that big wages go to foreign employees, while citizens receive low salaries. If the higher posts are only occupied by expats, it means that all the efforts to enable citizens to develop their performance are in vain.” 

The lawmaker revealed that 55 per cent of Bahraini jobseekers are university graduates. “Their numbers increase annually by 7,000.”

He also called for more innovative solutions such as employment exchange with fellow GCC countries.