Bahrain Parliament proposes ‘Rejection Verifier’ to combat unemployment stigma

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Aiming to combat the stigma surrounding unemployment, the Bahrain Parliament yesterday proposed a tool—a 'Rejection Verifier'—that would document genuine job refusals during interviews.

This approach aims to shift the narrative away from labelling unemployed individuals as ‘job refusers’ and towards acknowledging them as active job seekers who simply haven’t found the right fit yet, the MPs stated.

“We need to stop labelling people who are actively searching for work,” said MP Abdulhakim Alshano, the driving force behind the proposal. “They are not ‘job refusers;' they are job seekers who deserve fair opportunities and support.”

The proposed tool envisions a detailed form filled out jointly by the job seeker and employer during interviews. This form would capture the reasons for both job acceptance and rejection, providing a clear and transparent record of the applicant’s decision-making process.

This, in turn, would help prevent misinterpretations and ensure that job seekers aren’t unfairly penalized for refusing unsuitable offers. Presenting the proposal, the MP claimed it would combat stigma, promote transparency, and prevent discrimination.

A second proposal put up before the Council yesterday seeks to establish a robust mechanism that safeguards individuals’ rights to compensation or assistance during periods of unemployment.

The proposal was by MPs Mohammed Al Balushi, Mohammed Janahi, Badr Al Tamimi, Mohammed Al Husseini, and Jameel Mulla Hassan. The new mechanism, the MPs argue, would ensure that no one is arbitrarily denied crucial support due to bureaucratic hurdles or unfounded accusations.