India leads overseas recruitment in Bahrain

India topped the list among thirteen countries selected by the Bahrain government for overseas recruitment in 2008.

This was highlighted in a report referred to parliament by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs Shaikh Ahmed bin Atiyatallh Al Khalifa who said out of the 17 employment ads Bahrain placed in thirteen countries- “Most of the ads were placed in Indian dailies for recruitment of Indian nationals.

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Besides India, the recruitment ads were published in Egypt, Jordan, Philippine, UAE, Saudi Arabia among other countries. Shaikh Ahmed said the authorities were looking out for specialised posts in six government organisations, which were not filled by the local manpower.

Elaborating details of the ads, Shaikh Ahmed said the Electricity and Water Authority published six ads, followed by Ministry of Health with five ads, while the rest were distributed among public organisations. “Each ad had a list of vacancies. The foreign employers were sought to work as teachers, nurses, technicians, paramedics, advisors, strategic planners, vets, engineers. Most of these vacancies required an average of ten years experience, “a copy of the report secured by Topnews stated.

The report was referred to parliament, after complaints by some legislators that Bahraini graduates and potential job seekers were neglected and remained unemployed.

The Ministry of Education here reportedly recruited 120 Egyptian teachers at the beginning of this academic year. The ministry defended its action by highlighting that the recruitments was done out of 500 applicants, who were later interviewed at the Cultural Attaché of Bahrain Embassy in Cairo. The 120 teachers were recruited after reviewing all Bahraini candidates who applied for jobs and received no response to 18 newspaper ads published in local newspapers in 2008.

The Civil Service Bureau, Bahrain’s government recruitment agency obliges ministries to replace no less than three ads in local newspapers and if no one with the required qualifications apply, then those organisations could seek foreign employment. Foreigners are recruited by one year contract which is renewed if no Bahrainis approach to fill their posts.

Bahrain is the main financial and banking hub in the region with close to 300,000 Indians living and working in the country.

Contact the reporter of this story: Sandeep Singh Grewal in Bahrain at sandy.media@gmail.com