Bahrain Mirror: Parliament Affairs Minister Ghanim Al-Buainain said that the government cannot force the private sector to employ Bahrainis, adding that the Ministry of Labour nominates the unemployed for the companies and concerned parties that, in their part, choose among the unemployed.

He said in an intervention in the Parliament on Tuesday that percentage of Bahrainization in the public sector is 84, considering it a high percentage, particularly in the GGC states.

Despite the widespread public outcry over the increase of unemployment rate and favoring foreigners in employment in the labour market, at the expense of Bahraini, the minister considered that the status of Bahrainization in the public and private sectors is "good", however, he stated that the government aspires to the better.

This comes one day after the government launched what it called the National Employment Program to contain the rising wave of public outrage from the foreign sweeping of the labor market. The government said the program will offer initiatives to give Bahrainis priority in hiring in the private sector and reduce foreigners' competition.

The minister called on the MPs to reconsideration the request for establishing a commission of inquiry on bahrainizing jobs.

However, the House of Representatives approved in its session today a request to establish a commission of inquiry on bahrainizing "public and private sector jobs". According to a local newspaper, the committee will investigate the barriers that prevent bahrainizing jobs in the country, and ensure that the competent authorities are committed to applying the laws, resolutions and internal regulations related to bahrainizing the jobs, and finally make sure of the conditions of non-Bahraini workers and the quality of the work they occupy as well as the reasons for not bahrainizing these jobs.

Arabic Version