Calls to Curb Post-Subsidy Firings

TDT | Manama

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Five Bahraini MPs have proposed stricter monitoring of companies that receive government wage support for hiring nationals, warning that some firms may dismiss workers once subsidies end.

The urgent proposal, submitted by Ahmed Al Salloom, Hisham Al Awadhi, Mohammed Al Maarfi, Zainab AbdulAmeer and Khalid Buanaq, calls for enhanced oversight of employers benefiting from funding provided by the Labour Fund, Tamkeen.

Lawmakers say some companies hire Bahrainis during the wage support period, benefit from public funding, and then terminate employment when the financial assistance expires.

They argue this undermines the purpose of the schemes, which are designed to boost Bahraini participation in the labour market, reduce unemployment and improve workforce skills.

According to the proposal, such practices can turn longterm employment initiatives into short-term cost-saving measures for employers, leaving workers vulnerable once support ends.

The MPs are calling for post-subsidy monitoring to be strengthened and extended, alongside tougher penalties for non-compliant firms.

They also propose referring serious violations to the Public Prosecution.