A positive sign

Bahrain ranked second in the Arabian region and nineteenth globally in the lowest unemployment rates, said a recent report.

The report was published by Global Finance Magazine, which reviewed unemployment rates in the world in the period between 2010 – 2015.

The publication reported that Bahrain was the second among Arab countries in regards to the number of the unemployed and nineteenth worldwide. 

It said that “according to the statistics of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), unemployment became an international phenomenon, especially among females and specifically the youth aged between 15 – 24.” The report also discussed the different sides of unemployment, including discontinuing education, poverty, economic circumstances and lack of skills and capabilities.”

Commenting on the report, Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan said, “The unemployment percentage in Bahrain that was mentioned in the report (4.2 per cent) isn’t accurate. Our latest statistics showed that the rate this year stopped at 3.1 pc.”

He added, “Anyhow, Bahrain was ranked among the toppers. This result comes following the efforts taken by the Kingdom in this regard since the launch of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s reforming project. Also, the directives of Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.”

The Minister recently stated that “there are approximately 6,000 unemployed Bahrainis,” adding that “the total number of labour working in the private, government and irregular sectors is 158, 000.”

He lauded Bahrain’s experience in fighting unemployment rate, which is among the lowest in the Gulf and Arab countries, coming second after Kuwait.

Humaidan  pointed out the Ministry’s efforts to develop programmes and initiatives to contribute to strengthening the labour market infrastructure and bringing in the labour market needs in harmony with education and training outputs.

The Minister added that the Ministry’s main responsibility was to provide decent jobs for Bahrainis, noting the stability of the unemployment rate at 3.1pc during the last four months of 2015.