No foreign hires without 21-day wait

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Private-sector employers must advertise vacancies locally for seven days and allow a 21-day window for Bahraini applicants before seeking approval to hire expatriate workers, the ministry has said.

In a written reply to MP Mohammed Al Rifai, the ministry stressed that the measure is designed to give citizens priority access to private-sector jobs.

It said 505,998 expatriates are currently employed in the private sector on valid work permits. However, as of October 2025, 11,437 expatriates in the commercial workforce and 5,748 domestic workers were holding expired permits and had not left Bahrain.

Trade and vehicle repair accounted for the largest share of foreign workers at 124,503, followed closely by construction with 118,666. Accommodation and food services employed 63,881 expatriates, while manufacturing accounted for 54,022. Administrative and support services stood at 40,104, and professional, scientific and technical activities at 26,441, the ministry said.

It added that 152,106 expatriates in the commercial sector have remained with the same employer for more than five years, with overall service records tracked through contributions to the Social Insurance Organisation.

On the recruitment of Bahrainis, the ministry said suitable vacancies must be posted on the National Employment Platform to enable citizens to apply. It added that it works with training bodies to align qualifications with labour market demands and engages employers to encourage the hiring of Bahraini jobseekers.

The ministry said it could not provide the requested wageband figures for expatriates and Bahrainis in the private sector, or detailed breakdowns of Bahrainis employed in the sector, as the data are held by other government entities. It noted that salaries often change after hiring and are recorded with the relevant authority rather than the ministry.