Allegation of Tamkeen funds misuse by companies in Bahrain

TDT | Manama                                                  

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com     

Reported by Tofoof AlMansoor

The Tamkeen wage support program was launched in 2006 with the aim of encouraging private sector companies to hire Bahraini nationals and to provide them with training and development opportunities.

The program provides financial support for the wages of Bahraini employees, with the amount of support varying depending on the employee’s salary and the size of the company. The program has been successful in increasing the employment of Bahraini nationals in the private sector.

According to data from Tamkeen, the program has supported the employment of over 70,000 Bahrainis in various industries, including finance, hospitality, and construction. However, there have been concerns about the misuse of the program by some companies.

Reports suggest that some companies have been using the program to access government funds without actually providing meaningful employment opportunities for Bahraini nationals. These companies allegedly pay low wages and offer no training or development programs, effectively using Bahraini employees as a means to access government funds.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, a citizen said: “Me and my colleague were recruited by a construction company and we were terminated shortly after the wage support ended, and we were replaced by fresh graduates that were eligible for Tamkeen support.’’

The exploitation of the Tamkeen program has been a cause for concern for the Bahraini government, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Development has taken steps to address the issue. In addition to conducting inspections and audits, the ministry has also launched a public awareness campaign to educate companies about the regulations of the program and the consequences of non-compliance.

Despite these efforts, some experts believe that more needs to be done to ensure that the program is being used for its intended purpose. This could include increasing transparency and accountability in the hiring process, as well as providing more support and incentives for companies that offer meaningful employment opportunities for Bahraini nationals.

Overall, the Tamkeen wage support program remains an important initiative in Bahrain’s efforts to promote employment opportunities for its citizens. By addressing the issue of exploitation and ensuring that the program is being used for its intended purpose, the government can continue to support the growth of the private sector while also providing meaningful employment opportunities for Bahrainis.