MPs want to save local drivers’ job

A group of Bahraini MPs wants licences to public transportation to be given only to Bahraini drivers, it has been revealed.

The lawmakers said “public transportation is one of the most vital sectors in the Kingdom and deserves unique care from the Government”.

“It was noticed that the existing Traffic Law doesn’t stipulate that public transportation vehicles and licences should only be granted to Bahrainis. This is a legislative gap that must be corrected. Allowing foreigners to work in this sector is contrary to the Bahrainisation policies and the efforts to encourage Bahrainis to work in the private sector,” they explained.

“Working in the public transportation sector supports scores of Bahraini families’ breadwinners and allowing non-Bahrainis to compete with them will have a negative impact on them,” the MPs said.

MPs Ghazi Al Rahma, Jalal Kadhem, Adel Assoomy, Hamad Al Dossary and Jamal Buhassan said that “amending the current Traffic Law to only allow Bahrainis to work in the public transportation sector will contribute in highlighting the genuine Bahraini identity to tourists, encourage citizens to work in the private sector and protect Bahrainis from unfair foreign employment’s competition and the livelihood of Bahrainis working in this sector.”

The proposal, which was submitted to the council’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee, was referred to the authorities concerned for consultation, as confirmed by the committee’s Vice Chairman MP Mohammed Al Jowder recently.