Latest news with #Bahrainization
Daily Tribune
30-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Tamkeen Supports the Career Development of over 60 Bahrainis at the 'Benefit' Company
The Labour Fund (Tamkeen) announced its support for the career development of over 60 Bahrainis at the Benefit Company through multiple initiatives such as Employment Support, Career Development Support, and On-The-Job Training, in addition to taking on leadership roles in the company through the Leadership Employment Programme. Tamkeen's support for the Benefit Company is aligned with its strategic priorities for 2025, which focus on enhancing the position and competitiveness of Bahrainis in the private sector, equipping Bahrainis with suitable skills for career development in the private sector, and prioritizing enterprise growth, digitization, and sustainability, and supporting the development of the ecosystem surrounding the labour market and private sector. On this occasion, Ms. Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Chief Executive of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) reaffirmed Tamkeen's ongoing commitment to enabling Bahrainis attain high-quality jobs in key economic sectors. 'As part of our mission, we remain focused on enabling Bahrainis to access high-value career opportunities, particularly in strategic sectors such as financial services – the largest non-oil contributor to the national economy,' said Ms. Mofeez. 'Tamkeen's support for the career progression of national talent in the private sector – whether through wage support or enabling them to assume leadership roles – is part of a strategic framework that aims to position the Bahraini citizen as the first choice of employment in the labour market. 'Achieving this goal requires strong partnerships with private sector entities that believe in the potential of Bahraini talent and play a critical role in driving performance and contributing to sustainable economic development.' On his part, Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, Chief Executive of the Benefit Company said: "We believe in the strength and promise of Bahraini professionals and our commitment to their development includes providing equitable opportunities for promotion, merit-based compensation and a supportive environment that fosters their career journeys.' 'Tamkeen's support reinforces our vision to continuously invest in national talent and build a capable workforce that drives innovation and business success.' Mr. AlJanahi added: 'We take pride in having achieved a Bahrainization rate of 93.8% at Benefit with a team of 162 employees and as we move forward, we aim to expand employment opportunities for Bahrainis and align our efforts with the national vision for increased Bahrainization. Benefit has long played a leadership role in empowering local talent through graduate training programs, clear pathways for career development and a culture that recognizes and rewards excellence.' Established in November 1997 as an ambitious initiative by 17 commercial banks, the Benefit Company aims to be the national network for ATMs and points-of-sale in Bahrain. The company is licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain as an ancillary service provider to the financial sector and has expanded its services to markets beyond Bahrain. Tamkeen has introduced various programs designed to support employment and career development for Bahraini professionals, ensuring they remain the first choice of employment in the labor market. Additionally, Tamkeen offers multiple enterprise support programs to strengthen the private sector, positioning it as the main driver of economic growth in the Kingdom.
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
What is Bahrainization? The Kingdom's drive to localise jobs across multiple sectors
Bahrainization has evolved into a structured national workforce strategy, backed by legal enforcement/Image: Shutterstock TL;DR: Bahrainization is Bahrain's official workforce nationalization policy aimed at increasing Bahraini employment in the public and private sectors. It sets sector-specific ratios requiring companies to hire Bahraini nationals or face restrictions on government contracts and foreign worker permits. Employers benefit from wage subsidies up to 70% in the first year, tapering to 30% in the third and face fines or imprisonment if they fail to comply. Administration is handled by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), working closely with Tamkeen, Bahrain's labour fund. Bahrainization, began in the 1980s under a government-led initiative known as 'Project 10,000', designed to train and transition Bahraini nationals into private-sector roles. By the 1990s, quotas were introduced across multiple sectors. New business licenses triggered mandatory national hiring percentages, requiring firms with over 10 employees to have at least 20% Bahraini staff, with annual incremental growth to a 50% workforce threshold. Small firms were required to employ at least one Bahraini besides the owner. These foundational policies were formalized into legislation in 2006 through the creation of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, which oversees foreign work permits and Bahrainization targets throughout the private sector. How Bahrainization Works in Practice Quotas and Enforcement Under current regulation, private-sector employers must meet Bahrainization ratios specific to their industry. These ratios are actively enforced: failure to comply disqualifies firms from government contract tenders and may block further employment of foreign workers. As per News of Bahrain, public-sector organizations had already achieved 100% Bahrainization in 15 agencies by March 2024. Incentives and Wage Subsidies To ease the shift, the state finances wage subsidies via Tamkeen. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You Won't Believe the Price of These Dubai Apartments Binghatti Developers FZE Get Offer Undo Employers can receive up to 70% of Bahraini wages in Year 1, 50% in Year 2, and 30% in Year 3. Tamkeen is funded through fees imposed on companies for foreign work permits, with 80% of that revenue directed to national training and employment programmes. Penalties Non-compliance carries legal weight. Employers may face BHD 300 per foreign application, fines ranging from BHD 500 to BHD 1000, suspension of business operations, and even closure. Individuals with violations may face penalties of BHD 1000–2000 or imprisonment, and expatriates can be deported. Key Sectors and Reform Priorities Government Sector Progress News of Bahrain reports, as of early 2024, nine out of 17 government ministries and municipal councils had fully eliminated foreign staff, replacing them entirely with Bahraini employees. Hiring mandates now require public agencies to train Bahraini workers as a core duty of any non-national staff member. Focused Professional Sectors In mid-2025, Bahrain's Shura Council advanced draft legislation mandating up to 50% Bahrainization in sectors like healthcare, banking, legal services, aviation, education, and accounting. The National Health Regulatory Authority will oversee healthcare-specific targets, ensuring that expatriates are only retained where no qualified Bahrainis exist. Corporate and Trade Responses Business associations, including the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry have welcomed the intent to localize the workforce. However, they urged cautious implementation to avoid unintended consequences such as talent shortages, especially in technical fields where Bahraini participation is still evolving. Implementation & Oversight Role of LMRA and Tamkeen The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) was established in 2006 to manage work permits, enforce Bahrainization targets, and regulate residency and employment rules. The agency collects fees from foreign work permits and channel these into Tamkeen, which is responsible for training, wage subsidy schemes, and local talent development. Annual Targets and Reporting In early 2025, Bahrain reported achieving 24% of its target to employ 25,000 Bahrainis in the private sector, while 28% of a training goal to train 15,000 citizens had been met. These figures were presented to the Cabinet at Gudaibiya Palace, illustrating progress on annual quotas. Challenges and Ongoing Reforms Skills Gap and Workforce Mismatch Employers in sectors such as engineering, accounting, and medical fields have raised concerns over the availability of qualified Bahraini professionals. Proposals to fully Bahrainize engineering, HR, media, and hospitality roles have sparked debate about feasibility and whether sufficient training infrastructure exists. Some critics also fear disruption if firms are forced to replace experienced expatriates prematurely. Wage subsidy schemes and partnerships with local institutions like Bahrain Polytechnic aim to close these gaps over time. Strategic Alignment with National Vision Bahrainization is central to the Economic Recovery Plan Pillar 5 and Bahrain Vision 2030, which focus on private-sector growth, reducing reliance on oil, and meaningful employment for citizens. Public–private initiatives such as large-scale shared service centres, youth training centres, and Tamkeen collaborations are part of an effort to create 20,000 Bahraini jobs and train 10,000 nationals per year through 2024. Comparative Context: Bahrainization and Gulfization Bahrainization falls under the broader umbrella of "Gulfization", a regional strategy seen in GCC countries like Saudization, Qatarization, and Emiratization. These policies aim to reduce dependency on expatriate labour by instituting quotas, training, and layered penalties or incentives. Bahrain differed by implementing early nationalization efforts in the 1980s and later abolished the Kafala sponsorship system, enabling greater mobility and labour rights for migrant workers. Impact to Date and Outlook Public-Sector Successes Government agencies achieving 100% Bahrainization showcase how sectors can fully transition to national workforces. This is backed by policy instruments mandating training clauses for hiring managers of expatriates. Private Sector Progress Employment and training figures indicate that roughly one-quarter of annual targets were already reached within the first quarter of 2025. This implies that by year-end, a majority of the planned nationalization benchmarks may be met if momentum continues. Future Enforcement As Bahrain accelerates Bahrainization in sectors like healthcare and banking, the potential conflict between demand for skilled national talent and existing workforce structures remains a key governance challenge. However, by anchoring implementation in training, wage support, and phased targets, the policy aims for sustainable growth. Bahrainization in 2025 As of mid-2025, Bahrainization has evolved from a quota-based initiative into a structured national workforce strategy, backed by legal enforcement, financial incentives, and capacity-building infrastructure. Bahrain's policy now spans public entities fully Bahrainized, sector-specific legislation in progress for professional roles, collaborative training systems via Tamkeen, and firm penalties for non-compliance. This multifaceted framework aligns closely with Vision 2030 and Bahrain's broadened economic objectives. Success indicators like rising citizen employment rates, institutional compliance, and employer engagement suggest Bahrainization is entering a more mature phase balancing citizen aspirations, private-sector needs, and national growth targets. Given the complexity and political sensitivity of the policy, Bahrain's approach hinges on the continuous alignment between regulation, education, business readiness, and social inclusion. For the coming years, maintaining this balance will determine whether Bahrainization can deliver structural transformation without disrupting competitiveness, positioning Bahrain as a model in GCC workforce nationalization strategies.
Daily Tribune
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Zain Bahrain Recognized Among Al Bilad's Top 50 Strongest Companies
Zain Bahrain is proud to be recognized as one of the 'Top 50 Strongest Companies in Bahrain' by Al Bilad for the third consecutive year. The recognition highlights the company's commitment to excellence and continued leadership in driving digital innovation across the Kingdom. Zain Bahrain proudly maintains a Bahrainization rate of 93%, reinforcing its focus on developing local talent and supporting national workforce goals. The award ceremony, attended by H.E. Mr. Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, and Mr. Sameer Abdulla Nass, Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, brought together key leaders to celebrate the achievements of top-performing companies across the Kingdom. This achievement reflects Zain Bahrain's unwavering focus on elevating customer experience and contributing meaningfully to national progress. Through its investment in talent, technology, and community-focused initiatives, the company continues to lead with purpose and impact.
Daily Tribune
20-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
BBK promotes four Bahraini professionals to Assistant General Manager positions
BBK, a leader in retail and corporate banking in Bahrain, has announced the promotion of four of its distinguished employees to the position of Assistant General Managers. This initiative reflects the Bank's enduring commitment to fostering the advancement of Bahraini professionals with outstanding capabilities and supporting their progression into senior leadership roles across various departments. The promotions were granted to Ahmed Salah Sultan in the Retail Banking Division; Ahmed A. Qudoos in Group Corporate Secretariat; and Adnan Al Ameer and Nasser Mohammed Al Alawi in International Banking. Each of these professionals has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance, professionalism, and dedication, earning this recognition through years of distinguished service to the Bank. On this occasion, Yaser Alsharifi, BBK's Group Chief Executive, extended congratulations to the newly promoted employees, emphasizing that their advancement reflects the Bank's commitment to nurturing internal talent through consistent and strategic investment in employee development. Alsharifi commented, 'BBK's mission is deeply rooted in empowering Bahraini professionals across all areas of the organization, equipping them to take on leadership roles and play an integral part in the Bank's sustained growth. We firmly believe that our employees are our greatest asset, and every milestone we achieve is a direct result of their loyalty, expertise, and commitment to excellence.' Alsharifi also reaffirmed BBK's dedication to continuously developing national talent, underlining the Bank's resolve to lead in enhancing Bahrainization rates in the financial sector. This approach aligns closely with Bahrain's Vision 2030, which places a strong emphasis on empowering local talent and strengthening institutional excellence. Hassaan Burshaid, BBK's Group Chief Human Resources and Administration Officer, stated that BBK's investment in its employees remains a key pillar of the Bank's growth and transformation strategy, noting that an impressive Bahrainization rate of 96% was achieved in 2024—a milestone that reflects sustained efforts to advance national workforce development in banking and financial sector. Burshaid said, 'We are determined to continue increasing the Bahrainization percentage, particularly in the leadership roles, while working to achieve our corporate objectives and drive leadership within the sector.'
Daily Tribune
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Zain Bahrain celebrates commitment to community partnerships through "Bahrainouna" exhibition
Zain Bahrain announced its strategic partnership with the Executive Office of the National Plan to Promote the Spirit of Belonging to the Nation and Reinforce the Values of Citizenship through its active involvement in the "Bahrainouna" exhibition, hosted at Seef Mall. This collaboration exemplifies Zain Bahrain's steadfast dedication to empowering Bahraini youth and contributing to the Kingdom's economic and social development. The partnership with the "Bahrainouna" exhibition highlights Zain Bahrain's long-term commitment to nurturing local talent and implementing dynamic initiatives that foster youth and community growth. Zain Bahrain maintains a 93% Bahrainization rate, with 97% of new hires being Bahraini over the past two years. Furthermore, nationals hold 90% of executive roles and 86% of leadership positions within the company. Since 2009, Zain Bahrain has supported over 3,000 young individuals through training, employment, and skill-building initiatives, making significant contributions to the development of national talent and the strengthening of the local labor market. In recognition of these efforts, Zain Bahrain was awarded the "Best Private Sector Employer" at the 12th GCC Government Human Resources and Youth Summit 2024, further establishing its leadership in youth empowerment and national workforce development.
