26,000 Bahrainis find jobs in private sector

MORE than 26,000 Bahrainis found jobs in the private sector last year.

Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel Humaidan told MPs that of the total 26,344 who were employed, 6,275 held a bachelor’s degree or a higher qualification, 1,025 were diploma holders and 19,044 were secondary school graduates or lower.

A total of 15,182 youngsters were still waiting for suitable employment last year, of which 11,576 were women, the minister said.

“Among those who found jobs, 16,323 were men,” Mr Humaidan said, in three written responses to questions on employment statistics.

This compares with 24,718 employed in 2019 and 19,221 in 2020.

The minister also revealed that 31,099 jobseekers received financial support from the Unemployment Fund compared with 23,193 in 2020 and 17,669 in 2019.

“The government is working on numerous initiatives and programmes to prioritise Bahrainis in employment and we are open to suggestions and proposals from legislators that would help us get more jobs for citizens,” he said.

“Last year we launched the National Employment Programme 2.0 to provide 25,000 jobs, 10,000 training opportunities and Tamkeen has allocated BD120 million over three years to support employment and training.

“We are offering wage support for Bahrainis - 70pc in the first year, 50pc in the second and 30pc in the third while increasing the cost of flexi permits to BD500 to make Bahrainis the first choice for employers.

“We are also promoting Bahraini jobseekers, offering remote work opportunities and part-time jobs for mothers, providing training at 91 accredited centres and launching the on-the-job training programme Foras (Chances) amongst other initiatives, programmes and incentives.”

He said 60,356 expatriates were employed last year while 61,968 left the country.

“Since January, wages are being transferred to banks by all private sector establishments.”

Mr Humaidan, who is set to appear during Parliament’s session on Tuesday, will also respond to a question on societies and donations.

Meanwhile, MPs will take a retrospective vote on a Royal Decree issued by His Majesty King Hamad during the National Assembly’s recess last year to introduce the new 2021 External Auditors Law.

Parliament is seeking more legislative powers through two legislations. They have demanded that questions directed to the Premier, deputy premiers and ministers remain valid until the end of Parliament’s four-year tenure. Currently, the questions are dropped after the end of each term.

MPs will vote on amendments to the 2002 Parliament Bylaws Law.

MPs and Shura Council members are seeking to return back to their old jobs after their tenure, counting legislative service as part of their work years.

The government opposed the move and said vacancies would have to be filled in the public sector as four-year absence from service would hamper the organisation’s work flow.

MPs will also vote on amendments to the 2012 Private Sector Employment Law to have the 30-day-notice changed to between 30 and 120 days for rare specialisations.

The amendments originally presented by the Shura Council have been recommended for rejection by Parliament’s services committee.

The same committee has also recommended rejecting another proposal by the Shura Council to launch a supreme council for medical studies.

Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1034354/26,000-Bahrainis-find-jobs-in-private-sector-