MP Mariam AlSayegh has introduced a groundbreaking legislative proposal in Bahrain aimed at addressing key economic issues such as low wages and high unemployment in the private sector. The proposal includes the establishment of a minimum wage threshold for Bahraini workers, ensuring that citizens are able to maintain a decent standard of living amidst rising costs. Additionally, the initiative seeks to increase the percentage of Bahrainis employed in the private sector by incentivizing companies to hire local talent at higher salaries, thereby reducing the reliance on foreign workers.
Furthermore, the proposal includes measures to prevent the misuse of wage subsidies provided by the Tamkeen Labour Fund, ensuring that companies do not exploit the system by laying off Bahraini workers after the subsidies expire. Legal protections are also proposed to prevent unfair targeting and lay-offs of Bahraini workers, providing greater job security and stability for citizens in the private sector and reducing unemployment by creating a more balanced labor market.
To enforce compliance with Bahrainisation quotas, the proposal includes provisions for withdrawing licenses from institutions that fail to meet the required percentages, creating a stronger incentive for companies to actively recruit and retain Bahraini talent. This proposed law, already successful in some GCC countries, has the potential to reshape the employment landscape in Bahrain and is currently under review by relevant authorities, attracting considerable attention for its potential impact on the economy.
MP Mariam AlSayegh’s bold proposal to address critical economic issues in Bahrain by implementing a minimum wage threshold for Bahraini workers and increasing local employment in the private sector is a significant development that could have a transformative effect on the country’s economy. By incentivizing companies to hire Bahraini talent at competitive salaries and preventing the misuse of wage subsidies, the initiative aims to create a more balanced labor market and reduce unemployment among citizens.
Additionally, legal protections are proposed to safeguard Bahraini workers from unfair targeting and lay-offs, ensuring greater job security and stability for individuals in the private sector. The enforcement of Bahrainisation quotas through the withdrawal of licenses from non-compliant institutions will further incentivize companies to prioritize local talent, potentially reshaping the employment landscape in Bahrain and addressing critical economic challenges facing the country.
As MP AlSayegh’s initiative gains traction and garners attention from relevant authorities, the potential impact of the proposed legislation on Bahrain’s economy is significant. By providing a standard of living for Bahraini workers, reducing unemployment, and encouraging companies to prioritize local talent, the proposal has the potential to create a more sustainable and balanced labor market in the country. As the proposal undergoes review, its potential to address pressing economic issues in Bahrain makes it a development worth monitoring closely.
