Cairo: A Bahraini parliamentary committee has approved a proposal to cut fees on businesses in the country with the majority of Bahraini employees.
The proposal is the latest effort to encourage the employment of citizens in the Gulf country. The Committee of Financial and Economic Affairs at the Council of Representatives discussed the proposal to reduce by at least 50 per cent the government fees on private companies and establishments where Bahrainis make up over 80 per cent of their total workforce.
The panel unanimously endorsed the proposal after receiving related replies from the ministries of industry, commerce, tourism, public works and municipal affairs, electricity, labour and interior, the committee head Mahmoud Mekki said without giving details.
The proposal has yet to be debated by the plenary legislature.
Draft bill
Bahrain has recently stepped up a drive to replace expatriates with citizens in jobs amid calls for prioritising the Bahrainis’ employment.
Last October, a parliamentary committee approved a draft bill obliging employers to give job preferences to citizens as the kingdom is seeking to replace expatriates in work.
The draft commits employers to check records of Bahraini job-seekers and hire the qualified citizens. Failure to comply with the regulations will be punishable by a fine ranging from BD5,000 to 20,000.