Online services major boon for job seekers

JOB seekers in the country no longer need to visit the labour ministry in person now that services are available online, it has been highlighted.

Job banks and vacancies can now be accessed online, as the Labour and Social Development Ministry strives to improve services to potential employees.

“Our services to job seekers have moved online since the outbreak of Covid-19,” Ministry’s Labour Affairs Assistant Under-Secretary Ahmed Al Hayki.

“It is important, because, before then, they had to go to the centre at the ministry to apply for posts, whereas now, they can apply for a job, or nominate themselves as a candidate, for jobs posted online on the ministry’s vacancy bank.

“They will be called by the employer, interviewed online, and if selected will get the job offer by the company, all online.

“This is one of many services the ministry has been lining up on its digital platform.”

World Bank (Mena) Social Protection & Jobs regional manager Anush Bezhanyan, a fellow speaker during the virtual conference, endorsed Bahrain’s move as solid evidence of the growing importance of digital services.

“Indeed, many countries immediately realised that if they don’t have basic key services in place online it’s very, very difficult to continue operating in times like a pandemic,” she said.

“An employment services platform where you can actually apply for available posts and get connected to various other related services is impressive.

“I think it is going to be increasingly important to have all these processes and services digitised.”

She, however, added that poorer countries may find it more challenging in setting up a similar system.

“But I think this is also resolvable by maybe having service centres which can help people,” she added, “or, as in some countries, by giving SIM cards with information on services available for them.

“Outreach is very important so that people actually know what services are available. A good and transparent grievance mechanism for people to put in a complaint if any, is also ideal.

“Digital services is the future for social protection and for labour sector, particularly.”

Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1038011/Online-services-major-boon-for-job-seekers