The proposed bill in Bahrain that requires private health centres to hire Bahrainis for half of their key jobs is aimed at reducing joblessness and strengthening the country’s economy. This initiative is rooted in the constitution’s principle that every citizen has the right to work and should be provided fair job opportunities. Proponents argue that prioritizing Bahraini medical workers in the healthcare sector will help reduce unemployment exacerbated by the high number of expats in healthcare roles.
The Services Committee supports this plan, believing that it will create more job opportunities for skilled Bahrainis and strengthen the nation’s healthcare services. However, the government has concerns about the practical challenges that a fixed percentage target might pose for private providers. They believe that current policies, such as benefits and training programmes, already encourage hiring Bahrainis, and a strict target could hinder efforts to make the economy adaptable and attractive to businesses.
The government emphasizes the importance of keeping up with medical advancements, which often require new skills. They suggest a more flexible approach that allows Bahrain to attract experts in emerging fields while ensuring a strong Bahraini workforce. This, they argue, will help meet national goals without compromising the quality of healthcare.
A recent report from the National Health Regulatory Authority shows a shortage of Bahraini specialists in fields like radiology and nursing, making it challenging to reach a 50 per cent Bahraini workforce in private healthcare without more local professionals. Labour Ministry figures indicate that around 970 Bahrainis were seeking healthcare jobs at the end of 2023, but few had training in critical areas, highlighting the importance of careful planning to ensure increased Bahraini hiring does not compromise care standards.
The Services Committee suggests advancing the plan with adjustments to address challenges faced by private healthcare providers. They propose setting gradual targets or expanding training programmes to increase the number of skilled Bahrainis, balancing the goal of enhancing local employment with the need to maintain high-quality care in the healthcare sector. This approach aims to strike a balance between ensuring job opportunities for Bahrainis and meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving healthcare industry.
