Bahrain MPs scrutinize government’s outsourcing policies
MANAMA, BAHRAIN — Bahrain’s Members of Parliament (MPs) have unanimously approved a request for an open parliamentary debate concerning the nation’s outsourcing policies.
This decision aims to scrutinize the government’s preference for outsourcing jobs to private enterprises instead of offering full-time contracts to Bahraini citizens.
The request, led by Strategic Thinking Bloc President MP Ahmed Al Salloom and supported by nine other MPs, was submitted to Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam. The Speaker has confirmed that ministers involved will be invited to an upcoming session to discuss this critical issue.
The debate will cover seven key aspects, including the nature of outsourced contracts, guarantees for Bahraini employees, and the mechanisms for monitoring and inspection.
This comes in the wake of numerous complaints from ‘outsourced’ employees who claim they have been overlooked for permanent positions despite their experience.
Al Salloom said that the reasons behind outsourcing jobs “are unclear to us, and we need to know why the government prefers this over full-time employment of Bahrainis.”
He also expressed concerns over the potential for Bahrainis to be perpetually denied stable job opportunities, likening their treatment to “replaceable furniture.”
MP Khalid Bu Onk, a spokesman for the Strategic Thinking Bloc, emphasized that government jobs should not be outsourced, advocating for the employment of qualified Bahrainis on a permanent basis.
“Too many Bahrainis have been brought in to do jobs under what we consider to be unfair contracts,” he remarked, highlighting the disparity in compensation compared to full-time employees.
The debate also touched on broader issues, such as the country’s progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sustainable Development Minister and acting Economic Development Board Chief Executive Noor Al Khulaif outlined efforts to coordinate with government bodies to track SDG progress.
In response, MP Hamad Al Doy raised concerns about the financial struggles faced by many Bahrainis, suggesting that the poverty line and level of government support need reevaluation.
This open debate represents a pivotal moment for Bahrain, as it seeks to address the concerns of its citizens regarding employment policies and the broader economic well-being of the nation.
