MP proposal aims to protect Tamkeen funds

TDT | Manama

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A parliamentary proposal to clamp down on misuse of wage-support funding from Bahrain’s Labour Fund (Tamkeen) has been tabled by MP Mohammed Al Olaiwi.

The move follows reports of some businesses registering Bahrainis purely to pocket wage subsidies without offering actual employment or meaningful job roles.

In other instances, employees who should benefit fully from the scheme reportedly had part of their financial support held back unlawfully.

Worrying cases

MP Mohammed Al Olaiwi said: “We’ve seen worrying cases of firms gaming Tamkeen’s wage-support system. Bahrainis are signed up in name alone, gaining nothing in terms of real employment or career progress.”

The proposal calls for better monitoring tools to confirm real working relationships exist and to ensure companies provide proper career growth and a decent working environment.

“The goal is to stop public funds being wasted and to guarantee that Tamkeen’s financial backing reaches those genuinely needing it,” explained Al Olaiwi. “Any firm caught fiddling the books or misleading the fund must be held fully accountable.”

The proposals also aim to boost job security for Bahraini workers and maintain trust in Tamkeen’s programmes.

“These dishonest practices weaken Tamkeen’s purpose,” added Al Olaiwi. “Firm action against misuse is the only way to maintain the public’s confidence in the scheme.”