MPs push to Bahrainise tour guide jobs

TDT | Manama

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MPs will vote next Tuesday on a proposal to Bahrainise tour guiding jobs by limiting foreign hires. The plan, backed by Parliament’s Services Committee, also covers fields such as engineering, media, security, administration, and hospitality.

Leading the push is Mohammed Al Olaiwi, with support from Services Committee Chairwoman Jaleela Alawi and three other MPs. Bahraini tour guides argue that their role is more than just providing information—it is about representing the nation’s history, customs, and identity.

They cite UN tourism guidelines and a 2005 government rule requiring licensed guides to be Bahraini.

“A tour guide is a cultural ambassador, someone who speaks with authority about Bahrain’s history because it is their own,” said Mirza Al Nasheet, president of Dilmun Friends at The Bahrain Historical and Archaeological Society.

Local guides have called for training programmes to address language barriers, noting that many Bahrainis already speak multiple languages but remain underrepresented in the industry. Government figures show that 60% of trained guides are non-Bahraini, though industry insiders claim the actual number is higher.

The Ministry of Labour acknowledged the importance of Bahrainisation but highlighted existing wage subsidies, training programmes, and hiring incentives under the 2023–2026 National Labour Market Plan, which aims to create 20,000 jobs annually. It also stressed the need to assess whether all listed professions, including tour guiding, are attractive to Bahraini jobseekers.

Meanwhile, the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry has rejected the proposal, warning that rigid Bahrainisation policies could disrupt businesses and limit hiring flexibility. It insists that employment should be driven by supply and demand rather than quotas.