Limit expats working in public sector: MP

Manama : Limiting the number of expatriates working in the public sector and reducing benefits provided to them is the key to solve the unemployment issues faced by the country, said MP Jalal Kadhim in the House of Representatives yesterday.

Kadhim’s statements came while replying to Shura Council and Representatives Council Affairs Minister Ghanem Al Buainain on the numbers of non-Bahrainis working in Government authorities.

Kadhim expressed his unhappiness over the long periods taken by the government to reply to several proposals he had previously submitted to limit expatriates working in the public sector and replacing them with Bahrainis, despite the council’s approval.

“I had previously submitted proposals to terminate 50 per cent of non-Bahrainis working in government entities once their contracts expire, non-renewal of work contracts of expats over the age of 50 and reduction of allowances granted to expats working in the public sector by 50 per cent.

 These proposals serve reducing public spending and employing young cadre in the government. They were all passed by the majority of MPs and we wait for the government’s reply,” Kadhim stated.

The MP mentioned that similar proposals to that ones he submitted were implemented in neighbouring countries to employ nationals, mentioning Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE.

 “We have sworn to protect citizens’ rights. I have submitted around seven urgent proposals to benefit unemployed Bahrainis and they were delayed by the government. Many nationals have left Bahrain because of lack of opportunities and the unemployment issue. Official statistics showed that 25, 000 expats were employed in both the public and private sectors every year in the past four years, placing Bahrain as the top destination for expats. There’re no strategies to employ Bahraini jobseekers.”

The MP said that official data showed that “the average wage of non-Bahraini employees is BD1200, while more than 45, 000 Bahrainis are paid BD300 and less.