A new mechanism has been adopted by the Labour and Social Development Ministry, as part of efforts to implement the National Employment Programme, launched by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.
Labour and Social Development Minister and Board of Directors Chairman of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, said that the new mechanism aims to promote the employment of Bahraini university graduate job seekers in a set of professions in the private sector enterprises.
The minister explained that the Labour Ministry has, in cooperation with LMRA, identified a number of professions that appeal to Bahraini university graduates.
Employers who apply for new work permits in those professions will be given a two-week period to choose the suitable national competencies registered with the Labour Ministry, and many other incentives if they recruit university graduates, Humaidan said.
Their benefits include free professional training, salary support reaching 70% in the first year, 50% in the second and 30% in the third, provision of all administrative facilities and holding job interviews to select the best and most suitable national competencies, according to the required tasks, he added.
The minister indicated that the electronic link between the Labour Ministry and LMRA had been completed to ensure easy exchange of information, adding that the Ministry has formed a special team to contact employers and inform them about the package of incentives and privileges they will enjoy if apply for permits in the selected professions.
He called on employers to benefit from the incentives offered for them if they recruit unemployed Bahraini university graduates, noting that the recent initiatives will increase the competitiveness of Bahraini job seekers who, he said, have proved their professional competence, merit and discipline.
The new mechanism will support the implementation of the National Empolyment Programme, including four initiatives:
1. Launching an awareness campaign to encourage citizens to register in the National Employment Program
2. Amending the unemployment insurance draft law (78/2006) in order to increase compensation fees.
Adjustments to unemployment insurance include an increase from BHD 150 to BHD 200 for university degree holders, an increase from BHD 120 to BHD 150 for those without a degree and an increase in compensation fees paid for dismissed employees reaching a maximum amount of BHD 1000 (up from BHD 500).
The compensation period has been extended from 6 to 9 months
3. Increasing fees associated with the Parallel Bahrainisation System and the Flexible Work Permit,
Accordingly, fees associated with the Parallel Bahrainisation System saw an increase from BHD 300 to BHD 500, while the Flexible Work Permit registration fees increased from BHD 200 to BHD 500, with a recurring monthly payment worth BHD 30.
4. Redesigning Tamkeen’s Training and Wage Support Programme.