Bahrainisation Rate on the Rise: Minister Says No Further Measures Required
The Bahrainisation rate is steadily increasing, according to Ghanim bin Fadhl AlBuainain, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. He believes that the current initiatives in place are already sufficient to encourage businesses to hire more Bahrainis. In response to calls from MPs for stricter enforcement of Bahrainisation quotas for commercial establishments, the minister stated that imposing more stringent measures could potentially have adverse effects on businesses. He emphasized that the current BD500 fine for non-compliance is already a significant deterrent.
The MPs had suggested that the renewal of commercial registrations should be linked to meeting Bahrainisation targets, meaning businesses would not be able to renew their licenses if they did not employ enough Bahrainis. However, the minister dismissed this idea, highlighting that businesses could be suffocated by such measures. He also rejected the proposal to establish a joint committee to monitor wage support for Bahraini workers, as he believes that monitoring is already included in the National Employment Programme.
Tamkeen, a key player in wage support mechanisms, has established a hotline and email service for reporting unfair treatment. The organization has also increased inspection campaigns, with site visits being intensified to ensure compliance. Training initiatives have been introduced by the government to prepare Bahrainis for management roles, with some industries expected to maintain Bahrainisation rates of up to 50%. The minister assured MPs that the Labour Ministry and Tamkeen have systems in place to ensure workers receive their full wages, with severe penalties for employers found breaking the law.
In addressing potential gaps in wage support, the minister emphasized that the government has put strong deterrent measures in place to deal with cases of fraudulent employment or wage manipulation. Workers are encouraged to report any dismissals through the newly established support line. The minister expressed appreciation for the efforts of MPs in securing jobs for Bahrainis, stating that their initiatives align with the government’s goals of protecting the interests of citizens and ensuring their job security.
Overall, the Bahrainisation rate is on the rise, and the current initiatives and mechanisms in place are deemed sufficient to encourage businesses to hire more Bahrainis. While calls for stricter enforcement of Bahrainisation quotas have been made, the minister believes that imposing harsher measures could have negative effects on businesses. Tamkeen plays a crucial role in wage support mechanisms, with increased inspection campaigns and training initiatives introduced to prepare Bahrainis for management roles. The government has strict deterrent measures in place to address fraudulent employment or wage manipulation, and workers are encouraged to report any issues through the support line. The commitment of MPs to securing jobs for Bahrainis is acknowledged, with the government working towards protecting the interests of citizens and ensuring their job security.
