Expats May Be Barred from Taking Up Jobs in 6 Professions in Bahrain - Other Countries May Follow

In this iPMI Global In Focus Expatriate Life article, iPMI report author and market analyst Ian Youngman, takes a look at news out of Bahrain, that expats may be barred from taking jobs in 6 professions.

• Expatriates may soon be barred from taking up positions in six professions – medicine, aviation, legal, accounting, banking and education.
• MPs unanimously approved proposed legislation.
• This would mean a two-year grace period to remove all existing expat workers in the sectors from the date the legislation received approval by both Parliament and the Shura Council.
• Under the proposed bill the minister concerned would be obliged to draw up a strategy for replacing foreign residents with Bahrainis.
• The argument is that Bahrainis aren’t being given the chance to get high quality jobs.
• Expats are taking senior positions.
• Some MPS alleged that human resources departments are run by expats who favour expiates for good jobs.
• The Labour Ministry said that the government is already prioritising jobs for citizens.
• The Bahrain Chamber argues that the legislation could hinder business operations, as an employer would have no alternatives to fill vacancies should the number of qualified Bahrainis be limited.
• The General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions backs the move, saying employers should take the initiative to hire nationals and train them when necessary.
• In 2019 MPs wanted to ban expat recruitment in 35 professions in Bahrain’s private sector- but by 2022 the plan had been dropped.
• The government will now have six months to draft legislation into law and refer back to the National Assembly for consideration.

Analysis

• Sooner or later Bahrain MPs will succeed in banning expats from some or even all professions.
• It is part of a wider theme happening in several Middle East countries where there are large numbers of educated and trained locals.
• While countries may be happy to let expats do the menial jobs that locals do not like, they increasingly want their citizens to take the professional and management jobs.
• There will be transition periods and it may not happen for years.
• Insurers need to have products that offer health insurance for expats and locals in the same company and realize that where a company is global, these management citizens will travel for business and training.

About the Author

Ian Youngman is an independent writer and researcher specialising in insurance. He writes regularly for a variety of magazines, newsletters, and on-line services. He publishes a range of market reports, and undertakes research for companies. To read his latest report, International Health Insurance 2023, please click here, or visit the REPORTS section of iPMI Global.