Latest news with #NewsofBahrain
Time of India
4 days ago
- 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.
India.com
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Property worth Rs 1400000000000, owner of hotel, private jet, still this man is traveling in metro due to…, name is…
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was born in 1949 and has held several important positions throughout his career. He became the Minister of Defence in 1971 and also served as Crown Prince of Dubai, and was appointed Ruler of Dubai in 2006. That same year, he also became the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates. Apart from politics, he is also known as a poet, equestrian, and someone deeply rooted in Emirati traditions. Viral Video Of Sheikh Mohammed A video of Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is currently going viral on social media. In the video. He can also be seen using public transport and waiting for a tram at a station like an ordinary commuter and then traveling alongside other passengers. The simplicity and humility he showed is being appreciated by netizens. Dubai commuters were in for a surprise when His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, was spotted riding the Dubai Tram during an unannounced visit. #NewsofBahrain #News #Bahrain #NOBDigital #Dubai — Ashen Tharaka (@AshenTharakaG) July 22, 2025 What Sheikh Mohammed Did In The Metro? In a clip shared by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Instagram, Sheikh Mohammed is seen speaking with officials and observing the surroundings at a tram station. An earlier TikTok video also showed him sitting in a crowded tram, casually interacting with fellow passengers. According to the caption of an X user who reposted the video, a local resident captured the moment when Sheikh Mohammed was returning home from work using public transport. The video was later shared on social media. One user commented, '' Dubai commuters were in for a surprise when His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, was spotted riding the Dubai Tram during an unannounced visit.'' Dubai Metro was officially inaugurated on September 9, 2009. Who Is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum? Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum became the ruler of Dubai in 2006, the same year he became Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE. According to reports, Sheikh Mohammed's net worth is estimated to be around Rs 1.1 to Rs 1.4 lakh crore. In addition to his vast wealth, he owns palaces, luxury hotels, and private jets.
Gulf Insider
11-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Expat Woman Falls Victim To Online Car Scam
An expatriate woman in Bahrain has come forward to share her painful experience after falling victim to an online car sale scam. The 40-year-old, who filed a case with the police, is urging others-especially fellow expats-to be cautious when dealing with online advertisements and installment car sales. Speaking to News of Bahrain, she explained how a group of individuals posed as agents selling vehicles on installment plans through social media and other online platforms. 'They told us the car was available for BD400 as a down payment and BD50 as a monthly installment. We saw the car, even went for a test drive. Everything seemed fine,' she said. She and her family paid BD50 in advance and agreed to meet the following morning to finalize the contract. But what happened next left them shocked. 'The next morning, the so-called agent asked us to send the remaining BD350 through BenefitPay. He said he would bring the agreement immediately. But after receiving the money, he disappeared. He stopped answering our calls and blocked all communication.' Now, heartbroken and financially strained, she is warning others not to fall for similar traps. 'We are expats. We work hard to earn our money. Please be careful and don't trust such deals without proper verification,' she said. The matter is currently under police investigation. Victims are urging others to spread awareness and avoid any unofficial or suspicious car sales online. Also read: Bahrain: Court Orders Dealer To Repay BD6,800 After Car Sale Dispute
Daily Tribune
10-07-2025
- Daily Tribune
Expat Woman Falls Victim to Online Car Scam, Warns Others to Stay Alert
An expatriate woman in Bahrain has come forward to share her painful experience after falling victim to an online car sale scam. The 40-year-old, who filed a case with the police, is urging others—especially fellow expats—to be cautious when dealing with online advertisements and installment car sales. Speaking to News of Bahrain, she explained how a group of individuals posed as agents selling vehicles on installment plans through social media and other online platforms. 'They told us the car was available for BD400 as a down payment and BD50 as a monthly installment. We saw the car, even went for a test drive. Everything seemed fine,' she said. She and her family paid BD50 in advance and agreed to meet the following morning to finalize the contract. But what happened next left them shocked. 'The next morning, the so-called agent asked us to send the remaining BD350 through BenefitPay. He said he would bring the agreement immediately. But after receiving the money, he disappeared. He stopped answering our calls and blocked all communication.' Now, heartbroken and financially strained, she is warning others not to fall for similar traps. 'We are expats. We work hard to earn our money. Please be careful and don't trust such deals without proper verification,' she said. The matter is currently under police investigation. Victims are urging others to spread awareness and avoid any unofficial or suspicious car sales online.
Gulf Insider
28-05-2025
- Gulf Insider
Mother And Daughter Duped In BD176 Phone Scam
Trusting a polite voice on the end of the line, a mother and daughter gave away their bank after, they discovered they had lost BD176. The fraud, carried out by two Asian men posing as a bank employee, is now before the High Criminal Court, with sentencing scheduled for 17 June. The caller claimed to work for the bank. He spoke with confidence. The daughter believed him. She provided the account details and one-time passwords for both herself and her mother. Not long after, BD136 was withdrawn from her account and BD40 from her mother's. According to the Public Prosecution, the two defendants acted with the help of an unidentified accomplice. Accounts They used the card PINs to access the women's bank accounts and carry out withdrawals. Investigators say the men also entered the digital banking system and transferred the funds. The daughter reported the incident to the authorities. A police captain from the Economic Crimes Division stated that the man on the phone had presented himself as helpful, only to take their money instead. Funds The investigation showed that the funds were moved to the second defendant's account. He then passed the money on to the first, who used cash machines to withdraw it. Confidential sources said the first defendant used a bank card linked to the second. Withdrawals Bank statements confirmed the withdrawals of BD136 and BD40. Background checks on the two men revealed previous cases of a similar kind. There were no hacks, no forced entry into systems. Just a soft voice, a convincing story, and a costly mistake. Also read: Teacher Accused Of Misusing Public Funds And Forgery Source News of Bahrain
