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Daily Tribune
10-03-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister Chairs Weekly Cabinet Meeting
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting at Gudaibiya Palace. At the beginning of the meeting, the Cabinet emphasized the significance of the extraordinary session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the Summit level (Palestine Summit), recently held under the chairmanship of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, and His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The Cabinet highlighted the key points in His Majesty's address at the summit, reaffirming Bahrain's commitment to unity, moderation, tolerance, and comprehensive peace. The Cabinet also reviewed a report presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the summit's outcomes. The Cabinet then highlighted Bahrain's strong national spirit and values that drive its continued development. It also recognized the importance of the holy month of Ramadan in strengthening community bonds and praised the role of Ramadan majlises in reflecting Bahrain's deep-rooted traditions. Cabinet Decisions The Cabinet approved several memorandums, including: A legal and legislative memorandum on a draft law ratifying an agreement between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to avoid double taxation on income and prevent tax evasion. A legal and legislative memorandum on a framework agreement between the Civil Service Bureau and government entities to document, regulate, and improve quality management procedures. A legal and legislative memorandum on the government's responses to three proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives. Reports and Updates The Cabinet also reviewed the following: Updates on the Foreign Ministry's priority framework within the Government Action Plan (2023-2026). Progress on the National Human Rights Plan (2022-2026) and achievements up to 2024. Additionally, the Cabinet was briefed on ministerial reports regarding: The outcomes of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council. The 163rd session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council. GCC ministerial meetings with foreign ministers from Arab countries. The extraordinary session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers. The success of the 12th edition of the Farmers' Market for the 2024-2025 season. The official visit of the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications to Qatar. The UN General Assembly's adoption of Bahrain's proposed resolution to establish January 28 as the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence. The Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Bahrain's role in regional and international diplomacy while continuing to advance the Kingdom's economic and social development.
Gulf Insider
06-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
MPs Back Move to Prioritise Bahraini Workforce in Hiring
MPs have backed a move to put Bahrainis first in hiring, arguing it's the only way to get a grip on unemployment and stop businesses from taking the easy route by hiring cheaper expat workers. The proposal, backed by a joint committee of the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee and the Services Committee, is part of a wider push to get locals into jobs. Tamkeen's efforts alone have seen 5,400 Bahrainis hired, with another 4,900 put through training schemes. Supporters Second Deputy Speaker Ahmed Qarata, Jameel Mulla Hassan, Mohammed Al Olaiwi, Hisham Al Awadhi, and Mohammed Al Rifai are among those driving the move. They argue it's about making sure Bahrainis get a fair go, rather than being muscled out of their own job market. But, they say, the shift needs to be gradual, not a sudden change that leaves businesses floundering. Unemployment MP Al Olaiwi was blunt. Unemployment, he said, is a problem getting worse, not better. Every year, thousands of Bahraini graduates leave university with nowhere to go. 'We are a small country of just 750,000 people, yet we still haven't sorted this out, while our neighbours have managed to,' he said, calling jobs a basic right, just like housing, healthcare, and education. Worry Beyond job shortages, MPs are worried about how hard it is for families to make ends meet. Al Olaiwi said many people struggle to get past the first week of the month before running out of cash. 'People chase us to our cars with CVs — even at weddings and funerals,' he said. 'Every household has someone looking for work, and we are sick of asking for change that never comes.' Priority The Civil Service Bureau says Bahraini workers are already given priority in government jobs, with expats only brought in when no locals fit the bill. Foreign workers in the public sector are also required to pass on their knowledge before their contracts run out. The Ministry of Labour, which oversees private sector jobs, pointed to existing plans like the Government Action Plan (2023-2026), the Economic Recovery Plan (2021), and the National Labour Market Plan, all designed to encourage businesses to hire locals. Investment The ministry argues that while it's working to boost Bahraini employment, it can't ignore the need for a job market open enough to keep investment flowing. Wage subsidies and training schemes, it says, are there to help businesses transition. The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) backed this view, saying firms already have to look at local hires before bringing in foreign workers. Policy The new push, it argued, is in step with current policy rather than a major shift. Meanwhile, Tamkeen, Bahrain's main employment and training body, pointed to its wage subsidies, leadership courses, and job-matching schemes. Since early last year, it has helped more than 5,400 Bahrainis into jobs and trained nearly 4,900.
Daily Tribune
06-02-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
MPs back move to prioritise Bahraini workforce in hiring
TDT | Manama MPs have backed a move to put Bahrainis first in hiring, arguing it's the only way to get a grip on unemployment and stop businesses from taking the easy route by hiring cheaper expat workers. The proposal, backed by a joint committee of the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee and the Services Committee, is part of a wider push to get locals into jobs. Tamkeen's efforts alone have seen 5,400 Bahrainis hired, with another 4,900 put through training schemes. Supporters Second Deputy Speaker Ahmed Qarata, Jameel Mulla Hassan, Mohammed Al Olaiwi, Hisham Al Awadhi, and Mohammed Al Rifai are among those driving the move. They argue it's about making sure Bahrainis get a fair go, rather than being muscled out of their own job market. But, they say, the shift needs to be gradual, not a sudden change that leaves businesses floundering. Unemployment MP Al Olaiwi was blunt. Unemployment, he said, is a problem getting worse, not better. Every year, thousands of Bahraini graduates leave university with nowhere to go. 'We are a small country of just 750,000 people, yet we still haven't sorted this out, while our neighbours have managed to,' he said, calling jobs a basic right, just like housing, healthcare, and education. Worry Beyond job shortages, MPs are worried about how hard it is for families to make ends meet. Al Olaiwi said many people struggle to get past the first week of the month before running out of cash. 'People chase us to our cars with CVs — even at weddings and funerals,' he said. 'Every household has someone looking for work, and we are sick of asking for change that never comes.' Priority The Civil Service Bureau says Bahraini workers are already given priority in government jobs, with expats only brought in when no locals fit the bill. Foreign workers in the public sector are also required to pass on their knowledge before their contracts run out. The Ministry of Labour, which oversees private sector jobs, pointed to existing plans like the Government Action Plan (2023-2026), the Economic Recovery Plan (2021), and the National Labour Market Plan, all designed to encourage businesses to hire locals. Investment The ministry argues that while it's working to boost Bahraini employment, it can't ignore the need for a job market open enough to keep investment flowing. Wage subsidies and training schemes, it says, are there to help businesses transition. The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) backed this view, saying firms already have to look at local hires before bringing in foreign workers. Policy The new push, it argued, is in step with current policy rather than a major shift. Meanwhile, Tamkeen, Bahrain's main employment and training body, pointed to its wage subsidies, leadership courses, and job-matching schemes. Since early last year, it has helped more than 5,400 Bahrainis into jobs and trained nearly 4,900.
