The Daily Tribune, 20 November 2024: The Parliament has approved a proposal requiring companies bidding for government tenders to ensure at least 20% of their workforce is Bahraini.
The measure, designed to tackle unemployment and prevent misuse of Bahrainisation certificates, passed by majority vote, though some called for a more ambitious target.
The move seeks to give more jobs to Bahrainis in service contracts, with compliance overseen by the Labour Ministry or other relevant bodies.
Backers said it is a step towards reducing reliance on foreign workers in common roles such as consultancy and accounting.
Concerns were raised about companies potentially abusing the system to appear compliant.
Investigations showed firms gaining Bahrainisation certificates just to win tenders, undermining the purpose of the rule.
The Labour Ministry must ensure proper enforcement.
One of the proposal’s backers pointed to a growing trend of contracts going to foreign firms, stating that many of these deals involve general services that Bahrainis could easily handle.
By setting a minimum 20% Bahrainisation rate, more opportunities can be created for the local workforce.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by sectors like construction, there were calls for higher rates in less labour-heavy fields.
The 20% figure was described as a starting point, with suggestions for steady increases over time.
However, some dismissed the threshold as too low, advocating for a 50% minimum to better reflect the worth and skills of the local workforce.

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