Clarification of the Ministry of Labor and Social Development regarding those dismissed from work due to the Corona pandemic

26-06-2020

In reference to what has been circulated on social media platforms regarding the number of citizens dismissed from their jobs in the private sector due to the repercussions of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, including what was broadcast about a national company in the telecommunications sector dismissing citizens from their jobs, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development would like to clarify that the company in question has not carried out any dismissals of citizens recently or due to the current circumstances. The truth is that the company has re-evaluated the performance of its employees and during this period dispensed with the services of only one employee due to his failure to successfully pass the performance evaluation. This is a normal procedure taken by any establishment within the regulatory regulations and in accordance with what is decided by the employment contract concluded between the two parties. It is worth noting that the percentage of Bahrainisation in the company is high, and it is one of the companies that attracts Bahrainis. Regarding the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak on the stability of national employment, the Ministry’s statistics and records indicate a decrease in the number of those laid off in the first half of this year compared to the first half of 2019. The number of Bahraini workers whose services were terminated in the private sector and whose layoffs were documented in the Ministry’s records during the period from the first half of this year (until June 24) amounted to approximately 270 Bahraini workers, compared to 766 workers in the first half of 2019. It should be noted that many of the layoffs that occurred during the first six months of this year are not related to the exceptional circumstances the country is experiencing, but rather some were related to situations that occurred at the end of 2019. The months of April, May, and June 2020, during which Bahrainis' wages were covered under the government support package, witnessed a significant decrease in the number of dismissals compared to the first quarter of last year. The number of Bahraini dismissals reached 112 cases, a 23% decrease compared to the same period (April, May, and June) in 2019, despite the current economic conditions. This indicates the success of the government support package for the private sector in preserving citizens' jobs. The Ministry, in cooperation with relevant parties, continues its efforts to avoid any unjustified dismissals in the private sector. It scrutinises any list submitted by companies to ensure that Bahraini workers are not dismissed until all possible solutions and methods to avoid such dismissals have been exhausted, including first dispensing with foreign workers. In addition, the employer must implement all legal procedures required in the event of a total or partial closure and dismissals. It is worth noting that there are many cases in which a Bahraini worker prefers not to continue working in an establishment that is proven to be unstable and lacks the career future they aspire to due to insolvency. The Ministry has succeeded in re-employing many Bahraini workers affected by dismissal decisions in other establishments with greater job security and reassurance, after ensuring they obtain their legal rights. In this context, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development affirms that the labour market enjoys stability, sustainability, and the ability to confront various challenges thanks to the unlimited support of the esteemed government, the Kingdom of Bahrain's advanced labour and economic legislation, and the cooperation between the three production parties to make the local labour market more cohesive and growing under various circumstances, enabling it to generate more employment opportunities in productive sectors. On this occasion, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development calls on media platforms to obtain information from official, approved sources, in order to avoid causing anxiety among working citizens, which could impact their performance and productivity.