Are Companies Misusing Wage Support? Parliament Wants Answers

TDT | Manama

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Members of Parliament Zainab Abdulamir, Deputy Chairperson of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, and MP Hamad Al-Dhuwai announced plans to form a parliamentary investigation committee on labour issues. The committee will address the situation of dismissed workers, examine loopholes exploited by certain companies operating in the Kingdom, and review violations related to labour laws and wage support programs.

The MPs emphasized that the committee’s formation reflects Parliament’s commitment to protecting Bahraini workers and ensuring fairness in the labour market. They revealed that the committee will focus on eight main areas forming the core of the parliamentary inquiry.

Among these areas is an investigation into whether some private companies have misused wage support and employment programs provided by Tamkeen, particularly by terminating Bahraini employees once the support period ends. The committee will also review contractual loopholes and oversight mechanisms that allowed such practices, evaluate the effectiveness of the Ministry of Labour’s monitoring and accountability systems, and assess whether they ensure continued employment of Bahrainis after government support ends.

The investigation will also cover private-sector compliance with the minimum wage for Bahrainis, analyze reasons behind low salary levels that fail to meet living costs, and compile accurate statistical data on dismissed Bahraini workers in recent years, including the proportion earning below the minimum wage. The MPs noted that this data will help evaluate the impact of these issues on unemployment rates and social stability.

Additionally, the committee will examine the Ministry of Labour’s enforcement of the Labour Law for the private sector, especially in terms of protecting national workers and ensuring equality in pay and treatment. The MPs said the review will assess whether current legislation is sufficient to prevent discrimination, exploitation, or unjustified dismissals, and will study gaps in government policies aimed at safeguarding and sustaining Bahraini employment.

The committee will also investigate coordination among key institutions, including the Ministry of Labour, Tamkeen, the Social Insurance Organisation, and the Civil Service Bureau, to ensure effective monitoring of wage support and employment programs.