Bahrain MPs Debate Full Wage Subsidy Plan for National Jobs

Parliament has received a proposal from Mohammed Al Marafi to enhance Tamkeen wage support with 100% coverage for Bahraini job seekers in his role as vice-chairman of the financial and economic affairs committee. Under this initiative, the organization will transform the National Employment Programme by providing total wage support during the assistance phase instead of utilizing the present tiered benefits, which range from 30 to 70 percent salary coverage.

The proposal aims to boost private company Bahraini employee recruitment by forcing companies to maintain workers’ employment for three years according to Al Marafi. According to Al Marafi employers would become more likely to absorb Bahraini workers because this suggestion decreases their business expenses. This proposal includes penalties against companies which dismiss their staff before the termination of the three-year support requirement.

Services committee vice-chairman Mohammed Al Olaiwi expressed doubt that full subsidy funding would foster employment sustainability while addressing potential dependency on such benefits. The proposal has undergone a detailed examination by the services committee after Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam sent it for assessment.