BAHRAINISATION drive in the public sector is progressing at a rapid pace with only 16 per cent of the workforce being expatriates, it has been revealed.
Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain told MPs that 6,979 foreigners were employed on temporary contracts out of a total workforce of 42,479.
The minister, who is politically responsible for the Civil Service Commission, said 88pc of the expatriate workforce were in health, education and higher education sectors. He added that annual renewal of contracts for expatriates was dependent on need and the unavailability of local talents.
“We have 35,500 Bahrainis occupying jobs in ministries and government bodies, which is 84pc of our total workforce,” said Mr Al Buainain in response to a question by MP Hassan Ibrahim Hassan on Bahrainis and expatriates in the public sector.
“There are currently 18,179 applications from Bahraini jobseekers, including those working in the private and public sectors who are seeking better opportunities with the latter comprising 45pc of the total requests received,” he added.
“A curriculum vitae database of all suitable Bahraini candidates has been provided to ministries and government bodies to replace expatriates, who constitute 16pc of the total workforce.
“However, if there is a shortage, we are forced to allow recruitment of expatriates mainly in health – with 1,206 foreigners remaining since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, besides those in education and higher education posts.
“There are also other consultancy jobs in sectors including finance and economics, medics, law, energy and environment for which we need specialised expatriates, and local graduates are not available to take up these roles.”
Also responding in writing to a question by Parliament’s foreign affairs, defence and national security committee chairman Jamal Hassan, the minister said the contracts of 592 expats have been terminated.
“A total of 1,648 Bahrainis were employed last year and only in the rarest of cases, we were forced to employ foreigners to ensure there is no disruption to the flow of work,” he said.
Meanwhile, Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan, who will also appear during the weekly session on Tuesday, said companies in Bahrain were committed to employing Bahrainis with the average being 80pc to 90pc Bahrainisation in most establishments.
“The private sector has 70pc employment opportunities compared to 30pc in the government sector,” said Mr Humaidan, in a written response to a question by MP Mariam Al Sayegh on Bahrainisation levels.
“There is commitment in the private sector to employ Bahrainis and the evidence is high rates, despite our obligation of 50pc in appealing sectors.”
Mr Humaidan also said that 113,229 Bahrainis were employed in the private sector until December last year.
“On an average, 12,000 to 15,000 jobseekers register with the ministry every year,” said Mr Humaidan.
“Around 12,000 to 13,000 citizens receive unemployment allowances every month.
“There are 2,851 jobseekers who hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees in human resources, banking, public relations, marketing, information technology and business management, who have been registered with the ministry until last month,” the minister added.
In another response to a question by MP Jameel Hassan on expats employed in the ministry, the minister replied there were none.
Mr Humaidan, who is also Labour Market Regulatory Authority board chairman, revealed that only 4pc of expats in the private sector received wages above BD1,000.
He added that 19pc of Bahrainis employed in private firms also took home salaries above BD1,000.
Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma will appear during the weekly session on Tuesday to respond to a question on expats at his ministry.
Meanwhile, MPs are set to hold an open debate on government plans to employ Bahraini jobseekers who have graduated with a degree in physical education, medicine and law. The concerned ministers will be summoned to appear for a debate during the weekly session.
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