Ministry of Labor and Social Development achievements in 2019

31-01-2020

The Ministry of Labour and Social Development continued to deliver notable achievements during 2019, both in employment and job‑seeker qualification and in strengthening social care for citizens, within the framework of the Government’s programme. The Ministry advanced its vision to achieve social welfare, provide decent job opportunities, and enhance the work and production environment in private‑sector establishments. It also contributed to the development of national legislation to keep pace with labour‑market developments and the requirements of sustainable development. These achievements were realised in this prosperous era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country's great King, may God protect and preserve him, with the unlimited support of the esteemed Government headed by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, and the continuous follow‑up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, may God protect them. Policies and programmes aimed at employing citizens in the private sector and providing all means to qualify human resources and integrate them into the labour market were evident in the launch of the National Employment Programme by Their Highnesses, alongside amendments to labour legislation and continued monetary and moral support for citizens, extending the social‑protection network and upgrading care programmes, projects and activities for all categories and segments of society in the Kingdom of Bahrain. National Employment Program: Under the directives of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the National Employment Programme was launched in February 2019. By the end of 2019, more than 9,000 Bahrainis had been employed through the Programme. Among other initiatives to accelerate citizen employment, 529 suitable professions in demand by university‑graduate job seekers were identified, and the issuance of work permits for these professions was suspended for two weeks to enable the Ministry to negotiate with employers, organise interviews to employ qualified Bahraini cadres, and present the benefits of employing Bahrainis. Employers responded by submitting job applications, selecting Bahraini competencies rather than requesting foreign workers for locally demanded professions. By the end of 2019, more than 1,669 university graduates were employed through this initiative, out of the total employed since the start of the year. Employment fairs: Employment fairs are one of the important mechanisms adopted by the Ministry to integrate job seekers into the private sector. They are general employment fairs and specialized employment fairs. In implementation of the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, to intensify the organization of employment fairs, the year 2019 witnessed the holding of (6) fairs for various specializations and educational levels. These fairs succeeded in achieving their goals of accelerating the pace of employment of citizens seeking work. Modernising labour legislation: The Ministry cooperated with the legislative authority to update labour legislation in line with market developments. Within the National Employment Programme initiatives, Law No. 4 of 2019 amended certain provisions of Decree‑Law No. 78 of 2006 regarding unemployment insurance, increasing the unemployment benefit from 150 to 200 dinars per month for university graduates and from 120 to 150 dinars for non‑university graduates, and extending the duration of benefit and compensation to nine months instead of six months, in addition to increasing compensation for those dismissed and laid off to a maximum of 1,000 dinars instead of 500 dinars per month. In the context of empowering Bahraini women in the labour market and promoting gender equality, Ministerial Decision No. 85 of 2019 determining the cases, works and occasions in which women may not be employed at night, and cancelled Resolution No. 16 of 2013. Training and human development: To develop national cadres in line with actual labour‑market requirements, numerous training projects were designed and implemented to support the employment and qualification of job seekers and workers in private‑sector institutions. The Ministry also created training programmes for secondary‑school and university graduates, as well as school dropouts, at various vocational, technical and specialised levels. The number of beneficiaries reached 4,786 job seekers by the end of September 2019. The Registration in the Training Programme with Job Secure (Dhaman) was launched as an enhanced training programme with guaranteed employment, through which 1,000 Bahrainis have been employed to date, in cooperation with private training institutions, subject to oversight and quality systems. Growth in private training centres and institutes: The private training‑institution sector grew, with 89 licensed training centres and institutes as of last October, including 15 vocational and technical centres and 74 administrative and commercial centres and institutes. Licences for 5 institutions were withdrawn and cancelled for reasons including non‑compliance with Legislative Decree No. (25) of 1998 regarding Private Educational and Training Institutions or at the owner’s request. A total of 85 investors seeking licences to establish private training institutions were interviewed. Regarding training programmes, 1,036 programmes were licensed across several fields, including 208 local programmes, 304 passing programmes, and 524 issued by international donor bodies, in addition to licensing 522 trainers for various institutions. The Ministry enhanced inspection mechanisms to reduce violations, conducting 104 inspection visits to private training institutions, issuing 10 violation reports and 10 warnings. Five institutions rectified violations, while 7 were found practising training without a licence. Unemployment insurance: The unemployment insurance system constitutes a social safety net for job seekers and for unemployment compensation for those laid off from their jobs. It reassures every serious worker and job seeker by providing financial support during periods of unemployment. Accordingly, the Government has developed this system by increasing unemployment benefits and compensation, in addition to extending the duration of both. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development began calculating unemployment benefits for job seekers at 200 dinars per month for university graduates and 150 dinars for non‑university graduates, effective last May, as approved by the Council of Ministers. The Ministry also increased compensation for those laid off to a maximum of 1,000 dinars, instead of 500 dinars. Further, Law No. (4) of 2019 amending some provisions of Legislative Decree No. (78) of 2006 regarding Unemployment Insurance increased the duration of the benefit and compensation to nine months, instead of six months. The number of job seekers eligible for unemployment benefits reached 8,279 as of September 2019, while the number of dismissed employees eligible for unemployment compensation reached 1,192, including 572 males and 620 females. Promoting occupational safety: The Kingdom of Bahrain consistently strives to provide a safe and sound work environment. The esteemed Government has therefore paid increasing attention to promoting occupational safety and health in private‑sector establishments, ensuring continued development of the necessary legislation to safeguard workers at workplaces in line with international labour standards. In this context, the Ministry implemented inspection programmes throughout the year, conducting visits across labour sectors, particularly construction and manufacturing, as well as workers’ accommodation, investigating labour complaints, and preparing a campaign to supervise the work ban for the months of July and August. The total number of inspection visits from the beginning of the year until last November reached 735, including 585 visits to work sites and 70 to workers’ accommodation, whether periodic inspections or in response to labour complaints. Labour inspection: From the beginning of this year until October, labour inspectors conducted 2,962 inspection visits of various types and purposes to ensure implementation of Resolution No. (3) of 2013. A total of 2,778 establishments, comprising 121,347 workers, were inspected. The number of national workers inspected reached 26,118, while foreign workers inspected numbered 95,229. During these visits, 61 violations were issued. Summer work ban: The midday work ban is a decision with humanitarian dimensions consistent with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s respect for human rights in general and workers’ rights in particular. In accordance with Ministerial Resolution No. (3) of 2013 regarding the prohibition of work under direct sunlight during July and August, the Ministry oversees implementation through site monitoring. The total number of inspection visits during this period reached 11,235 across various work sites. This year, the compliance rate rose to 99.5%, while violations decreased to only 56, affecting 148 workers. Inspection campaign to ensure establishments’ commitment to caring for, rehabilitating, and employing persons with disabilities: As part of the Ministry’s commitment to integrating all categories of citizens into the labour market, a special inspection campaign was launched to ensure implementation of Law No. (74) of 2006 regarding the Care and Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities. Establishments to which the law applies and employing 50 or more workers were identified and included in inspection visits. From January to October, 514 establishments were visited, and 270 job vacancies for Persons with Disabilities were recorded in 85 establishments. Inspection of workers’ housing: The Kingdom of Bahrain is witnessing significant urban development and diversification of commercial and industrial projects, contributing to an increase in expatriate workers and necessitating more suitably equipped housing units. To ensure that workers’ housing under the Ministry’s supervision complies with safety and security specifications, periodic visits were conducted across governorates to verify the necessary requirements for residents’ safety. Within the framework of community partnership and cooperation with relevant agencies, and following the issuance of Resolution No. (45) of 2013 by His Excellency the Minister of Interior, the Ministry, in cooperation with the governorates and concerned authorities, formed field teams in the Capital Governorate to identify buildings and residences posing risks to residents and visitors. These teams visited workers’ residences that had not previously been visited until November, and revisited other residences as part of follow‑up and enforcement of the required measures. Occupational accidents: The total number of occupational accidents reached 255 by November, the majority of which occurred in the construction and building sector, with 99 accidents, followed by the manufacturing sector with 69. Investigations into reported incidents showed most resulted from establishments’ failure to meet occupational safety and health requirements at work sites. The total number of occupational injuries reached 270 until November 2019, including 15 deaths and 90 serious injuries. The construction sector recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 7 deaths. Amicable settlement of labour complaints: As part of its oversight role to maintain labour‑market stability, the Ministry received 10,865 service requests by August 2019, including legal consultations regarding the Labour Law in the Private Sector and the regulatory decisions issued pursuant thereto, as well as requests for resolving labour complaints with the consent of the parties involved. The percentage of complaints resolved by the Ministry amounted to 56.6% of the total number of complaints received. Parties to the dispute are warned to resort to the Labour Court if an amicable solution is not reached. The number of collective labour complaints reached 26, and only one complaint was referred to the Collective Labour Dispute Settlement Council. Labour unions: Since the issuance of Legislative Decree No. (33) of 2002 Promulgating the Workers’ Trade Unions Law and its amendments, the number of labour unions in the Kingdom of Bahrain has reached 117 unions and two labour federations. The Ministry received requests to establish 3 unions during 2019. Honouring diligent workers: As part of efforts to honour the national arms that have contributed to Bahrain’s renaissance in various productive sectors, the Ministry, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country’s great King, may God protect and preserve him, held the 35th ceremony to honour diligent and outstanding workers and distinguished establishments in the private sector. The ceremony honoured entrepreneurs, dedicated national workers, administrators, and establishments that excelled in supporting the Ministry’s programmes in the areas of Bahrainisation, occupational safety, citizen training, and other fields. Community development: Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Award for Encouraging Productive Families: The award ceremony was held this year at the local and regional levels, under the patronage and attendance of Her Highness. The winners were honoured in the categories of Best Productive Family, Best Producer, and Best Supporter of Productive Families. The number of participating local families reached 247, 70% of whom were female, in addition to distinguished entries from 11 Arab countries. This year’s award was directed to local and Arab families with limited income and housewives with the capacity to produce, as well as government and private institutions that support productive family projects, and economic, banking, and commercial institutions and individuals who provide support and sponsorship to family projects. The award included three categories: the first to the Best Productive Family, with the aim of motivating these families to be creative; the second to the Best Producer, with the aim of encouraging and developing products; and the third to the Best Sponsor and Supporter of Productive Families. Khatwa Programme for Home‑Based Businesses: The Khatwa Programme for Home‑Based Businesses is one of the most important initiatives. It aims to achieve regulatory controls for productive activities for individuals and productive families by establishing productive homes for those with unique ideas and freelance home‑based businesses. Entrepreneurs are prepared through training courses at the Centre of Excellence for Home‑Based Businesses and the Design and Innovation Centre, facilitating the financing of their projects, supporting their marketing, and preparing them to become sustainable business owners. The number of people who have obtained licences to work from home has reached 666, while total sales of home‑based businesses have reached 395,778 Bahraini dinars. The number of beneficiaries from production units has reached 1,459, and 11,050 individuals have benefited from training programmes. More than 16,000 beneficiaries of social‑centre activities: Social centres have been established in various governorates of the Kingdom to facilitate the provision of services to citizens near residential complexes. Their number has reached 9 social centres. The centres implemented programmes, activities, and events. A total of 485 events were organised and implemented in social, cultural, economic, health, and educational fields, benefiting 22,931 individuals. NGO's Support: Regarding the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s support for civil society organisations, the number of active and effective civil society organisations this year reached 468 out of 641, and the legal status of 9 associations was corrected. Fundraising licences: The Ministry facilitated the procedures for granting fundraising licences for charitable and humanitarian work. The number of licences reached 147; licences for transferring money abroad reached 212; licences for receiving funds from abroad reached 107; and the number of licences for receiving money without a licence reached 85 by the end of October. Financial Grants for NGOs: Coordination with the Supreme Council for Women in 2019 ensured that priority would be given to development projects that address women’s needs in financial grants for NGOs. A total of 63 NGOs submitted applications for financial grants, and the number of projects submitted to date has reached 89 development projects. Social rehabilitation services: The number of beneficiaries of individual and group family counselling services, counselling, and rehabilitation sessions reached 2,453 individuals. In addition, 54 introductory, preventive, and awareness lectures were provided, benefiting 1,208 individuals of both sexes, by the end of September 2019. A total of 11,590 visits were conducted for children of divorced couples, with an average of 311 families and 484 children visiting through social centres by the end of September 2019. The licences of two private counselling centres were renewed after they met the licensing requirements. Family counselling specialists, who hold judicial police status, carry out oversight and inspection procedures at the five licensed centres. Achievements of the Child Care Home: The Child Care Home provided comprehensive shelter and care services, including healthcare in kindergartens and enrolment in primary school, as part of the home’s educational support. Psychological services were delivered to 26 children through the psychological counsellor at Batelco Child Care Home, the Psychiatric Hospital, and Salmaniya Medical Complex. Nineteen foster children outside the home were followed up through visits, and 42 children’s cases were monitored. Children of unknown parentage were also housed, and a number of children from broken families were handed over to their families. Child Protection Centre: The Centre is the central body responsible for child protection, evaluating and monitoring children exposed to sexual, physical and psychological abuse, and neglect. It also provides protection and facilitates services related to assessment, investigation, treatment and follow‑up for these children, in cooperation with relevant authorities. By the third quarter of this year, the number of beneficiaries of the Centre’s services reached 698 children of both sexes. During the same period, 11 developmental and preventive programmes were provided, benefiting 330 children and adults. Child Support and Helpline 998: This free child support and Helpline line, numbered 998, receives calls from children or others reporting exposure to violence, abuse or danger. It provides telephone counselling, active listening and referral to relevant authorities when necessary. The line receives reports related to children from newborns to eighteen years of age. By the third quarter of 2019, actual cases received totalled 74. Incoming calls reached 1,409, including telephone‑counselling calls and service enquiries. Dar Al Aman achievements: The home receives abused women, Bahraini and non‑Bahraini, and their companions, without discrimination based on nationality, religion or identity. In 2019, services were provided to 66 residents and their 53 companions, covering living services, social, psychological and legal counselling, and varied recreational activities inside and outside the home, with post‑release follow‑up and continued counselling when needed. In line with the Ministry’s commitment to improving citizens’ standard of living and addressing community needs, 1,287 field studies were conducted on citizens of all categories across the Kingdom’s governorates. Care for senior citizens: Under the directives of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work, Youth and Sports Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, and under the direction of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, the term “Elderly” was changed to “Senior Citizens”, reflecting His Highness’s personal interest and belief in enhancing their status and positive role in developing and serving society. As part of enhancing services provided to senior citizens, the Ministry expanded the Yoko Parents’ Home and renovated the building. The new building of the Muharraq Parents Day Care was also inaugurated in 2019. The land allocated for the headquarters of the Bahrain Society for Parents Care was constructed, in addition to providing numerous services to the day clubs for parent care, including health, psychological, social, cultural and recreational programmes. Social Security: 17,069 citizens benefited from social‑security assistance, with a total value of 15,964,900 Bahraini dinars. Disability allowance: 11,824 citizens benefited, with total disbursements amounting to 11,689,800 Bahraini dinars. ‎ Compensation for house fires: In 2019, the Ministry compensated 48 people for house fires, with total disbursements amounting to 52,220 Bahraini dinars. Reduction of electricity and water fees: Fees were reduced for 13,233 families benefiting from the social‑assistance system. eServices Indicators Observatory: One of the strategic objectives pursued by the Information Systems Directorate is information security. To that end, the Department initiated the development of the Services Indicators Observatory system, an electronic interface for displaying reports and interactive indicators, enhanced with charts, tables and statistics. This enables Ministry officials to make sound decisions, monitor performance and control indicators based on data from various departments and divisions. The Observatory produces indicators related to services provided by the Ministry, including labour‑complaints registration, job‑seeker services and unemployment benefits. Work is underway to develop indicators for additional services, including employment and unemployment insurance, employment and training agreements, wage support, applications for employment confirmation for national workers, trade unions and federations, vocational institutes, and labour training and arbitration. In conjunction with the announcement of the project to migrate all Bahraini government systems to Amazon Cloud (Cloud First), the Ministry has begun preparing a plan to migrate its servers and systems to the cloud. The Ministry will save at least 50% of the costs associated with purchasing, operating and maintaining these systems, as well as unforeseen costs such as the time required to procure and prepare the required system. Based on the approved transformation plan, the first phase has been completed, migrating the unemployment insurance systems, press monitoring and the Ministry’s website. Work is now under way on the second phase, which will migrate the servers for social assistance, NGOs, social security and financial support. A notable Bahraini presence in Arab and international events: The Ministry continued its active participation at regional and international levels through its presence at numerous conferences and events. During 2019, the Ministry also took part in meetings of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as a full member. In parallel, it worked to strengthen bilateral relations with brotherly and friendly countries through the activation of memoranda of understanding and joint committees.