Expats in Bahrain’s public sector could face strict two-year contract limits as Members of Parliament push for a new hiring policy to prioritize local talent and address rising job concerns for Bahrainis. The proposal aims to amend Article 11 of the Civil Service Law, restricting foreign workers’ contracts to two years and focusing on a gradual handover of public sector roles to Bahrainis. Currently, the law allows non-Bahrainis to fill roles temporarily if no qualified local candidate is available, but under the new proposal, expat contracts would end after two years.
MPs emphasize the importance of ‘public service as a duty held chiefly for citizens’, a principle grounded in Article 16 of the Constitution. Mohammed Al Olaiwi, Jaleela Al Sayed, and three other MPs introduced the amendment, aiming to ensure that Bahrainis can confidently step into public roles either by learning from foreign workers or through specialist training. The proposal introduces a clear limit on contract terms, ensuring Bahrainis are trained and ready to take over within two years.
The plan also assigns the Civil Service Bureau the responsibility for setting guidelines on foreign hires to align with national aims. MPs argue that a cap on foreign hires would speed up the development of a skilled Bahraini workforce, reducing dependence on expatriates in public roles. They believe this change could help address unemployment, reduce the number of job seekers, and provide Bahrainis with greater stability in their careers. By prioritizing citizens for public roles, the government aims to build social and economic stability, benefiting the broader economy.
The proposal has been forwarded to the parliamentary committee for review and will be debated in Parliament. If passed, the two-year cap on foreign public sector contracts could mark a major change in Bahrain’s approach to public hiring, putting Bahraini talent firmly at the forefront. This move aims to support Bahrainis in securing stable careers in the public sector, ultimately contributing to the overall development and prosperity of the nation.
With the aim to prioritize local talent and reduce job concerns for Bahrainis, MPs in Bahrain are pushing for a new hiring policy that would restrict expat contracts in the public sector to two years. This proposal seeks to ensure a gradual handover of public sector roles to Bahrainis within the specified time frame. The MPs behind this move highlight the importance of ‘public service as a duty held chiefly for citizens’, rooted in the Constitution. They believe that Bahrainis should be trained and ready to take over public roles within two years.
By setting a clear limit on contract terms, the proposal aims to ensure that Bahrainis can confidently step into public sector positions, either by learning from expats or through specialized training. The responsibility for setting guidelines on foreign hires would be assigned to the Civil Service Bureau under this new plan, aiming to align with national objectives. MPs argue that reducing dependence on expatriates in public roles would help speed up the development of a skilled Bahraini workforce and address unemployment issues.
The proposed two-year cap on foreign public sector contracts is seen as a significant change that could benefit the Bahraini economy by providing greater stability and job opportunities for citizens. By prioritizing Bahrainis for public roles, the government aims to build social and economic stability, ultimately contributing to the country’s overall development. This move is expected to provide Bahrainis with increased stability in their careers and help reduce the number of job seekers in the country. If approved, the proposal could have a major impact on Bahrain’s public hiring practices, putting Bahraini talent at the forefront and supporting their professional development in the public sector.
In conclusion, the proposal to restrict expat contracts in Bahrain’s public sector to two years is a bold move aimed at prioritizing local talent and addressing job concerns for Bahrainis. This change, if passed, could mark a significant shift in the country’s public hiring policies, putting Bahraini citizens at the forefront of public sector roles. By ensuring that Bahrainis are trained and ready to take over within two years, the government aims to build a skilled workforce and reduce dependence on expatriates. This move is expected to provide Bahrainis with greater stability in their careers, ultimately benefiting the broader economy and contributing to the country’s overall development.
