Push for transparency Bill targets firms that fail to post job openings on labour portal

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Fines of BD200 to BD500 would hit large firms that fail to list vacancies on the Ministry of Labour portal, under a bill from MP Jalal Kadhem.

The measure would send all openings through the same platform the ministry already uses to present three roles to each registered jobseeker.

Kadhem said the proposal sits with the National Employment Initiative launched by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Response

He cast the response from major companies as a practical step towards reducing unemployment among Bahrainis.

First lodged in October 2024 as amendments to the Private Sector Labour Law, the bill would require every government and non-government employer to submit open posts to the ministry, which would then run the hiring process under fair and transparent rules.

Any employer or representative who fails to comply would face a BD200 to BD500 penalty.

Kadhem argued that Parliament should turn hiring drives into binding, lasting law so policy outlives individual campaigns.

Support

He called for support to keep vacancies published on the ministry’s electronic jobs fair, making it easier for candidates to find suitable posts and for the market to send clearer signals.

The lawmaker added that a single, comprehensive database of vacancies would help organise the labour market, guide jobseekers towards realistic career paths and support wider economic and social stability.

He said pulling efforts together would build confidence in Bahrain’s ability to make further gains on employment while keeping citizens at the centre of development.