Bahrain government employees' dream of running own business quashed

TDT | Manama                                                        

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain government workers’ dream of a side hustle just hit a major roadblock. The Shura Council, a key legislative body in Bahrain, has slammed the brakes on a draft law that would allow civil servants to engage in private business and obtain commercial licenses.

Citing concerns about conflicts of interest, productivity dips, and social justice, the majority of council members voted against the proposal. Their objections revolve around a potential clash between official duties and entrepreneurial pursuits.

“This could negatively impact employee performance and raise conflict of interest flags,” argued the council, adding that a side hustle might not exactly scream “public service dedication.”

Furthermore, they raised the banner of fairness, stressing that allowing government employees to moonlight could tip the scales of economic opportunity in their favour, creating an uneven playing field for other aspiring entrepreneurs.

While the council unanimously agreed to shut down the moonlighting loophole, one lone voice dissented. Abdulaziz Abl, a Shura Council member, championed the bill as a step towards a more open economy. He believes allowing government workers to dabble in business aligns with national efforts to encourage entrepreneurial spirit.

However, Mr. Adel Abdulrahman Al Ma’awda, Chairman of the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee, threw cold water on this argument. He emphasized that Bahraini law views public service as a sacred duty, incompatible with freelance ventures.

“Our Constitution considers it a national obligation, not a side project,” he stated, highlighting the existing legal framework that prioritizes the integrity and focus of government employees. Al Ma’awda further explained that the draft law clashes with the existing legislative policy established by the Civil Service Law. This policy, he asserted, aims to elevate the importance of public service and shield government workers from suspicions and conflicts.

Allowing them to moonlight, he argued, directly contradicts this established principle. With the majority firmly against the proposal, the Shura Council returned the draft law to the House of Representatives, effectively putting the moonlighting dreams of government workers on ice. Whether the House will address the council’s concerns and reintroduce the bill remains to be seen, but for now, it seems government work in Bahrain will stay a full-time gig.