30-04-2021

His Excellency Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Labour and Social Development Minister and Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA)’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to safeguarding the labour achievements already realised and building upon them to attain further progress. These efforts aim to enhance the quality of the work environment and make it more stimulating and supportive for both employers and workers, while strengthening Bahrain’s competitiveness as a leading business hub by attracting job-generating investments — thanks to the Government’s forward-looking and investor-friendly policies that stimulate labour market growth. In a statement issued on the occasion of International Workers’ Day, observed annually on 1 May, Humaidan noted that Bahrain’s participation in this global occasion reflects its deep appreciation for the generous hands that have contributed to building the nation’s renaissance, achieving successive accomplishments across workplaces and production sites, and continuing to work with dedication and sincerity within the comprehensive development process led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country's great king, may God protect and preserve him, and His esteemed Government, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him. The Minister also highlighted the continuous support extended by His Majesty the King to the national workforce, and His Majesty’s keenness, may God protect him, to include workers within his care and generous patronage on all occasions and celebrations — based on His Majesty’s firm belief in their central role in building the Kingdom and achieving its comprehensive development. In view of global circumstances and the ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s celebrations were held virtually, in accordance with national guidelines, with a view to ensuring the health and safety of all. Humaidan sincerely congratulated all Bahraini workers across various workplaces and production sectors. In this context, he offered a special tribute to front-line workers in medical, security, and administrative fields — particularly those in production sites — who demonstrated a commitment to sustaining operations while observing all necessary safety and health precautions. He also referred to the preventive measures and precautionary procedures adopted by the Kingdom of Bahrain to address the spread of COVID-19, emphasising that the preventive approach to the work environment has contributed to maintaining production capacity and business continuity within establishments. This was made possible through the concerted and collaborative efforts of all state agencies responsible for oversight and inspection, in addition to the efforts made by the Ministry’s agencies to ensure the safety of both the work environment and workers’ housing, thereby implementing the highest levels of occupational health and safety standards and regulations. In this context, His Excellency reaffirmed Bahrain’s ongoing efforts to create a safe and secure working environment that upholds all workers’ rights, supported by advanced national legislation that aligns with international labour standards. He noted the Government’s keenness to adopt laws and decisions that strengthen the preservation of the rights of all production parties, highlighting the implementation of the first phase of the Wage Protection System. This system obliges employers to pay workers’ wages through banks licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain, and its activation reflects Bahrain’s continued commitment to developing its legislative framework to enhance and safeguard the rights of both employers and workers. The Minister further affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain has demonstrated its ability to adapt to various circumstances and changes, as evidenced by the adoption of a number of exceptional initiatives aimed at supporting the stability of the labour market. These include the launch of a financial and economic package exceeding 4.3 billion Bahraini dinars, which covered the wages of Bahraini workers in the private sector and redirected the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) programmes to support establishments affected by the pandemic. In addition, the launch of the second edition of the National Employment Programme succeeded in accelerating the integration of citizens seeking employment in private sector establishments. This contributed to the stability of the national workforce and enabled the local labour market to maintain its capacity to generate further employment opportunities. Humaidan pointed to the transformations in the labour market, particularly with the advent of the digital economy, driven by the growth of the technology and information and communications technology (ICT) sector. He emphasised the importance of leveraging these developments to bring about a qualitative shift in the national economy, which presents a favourable opportunity to generate more value-added employment opportunities. The Minister also reaffirmed the continuation of policies aimed at providing high-quality training for citizens, preparing them for integration into various productive and economic sectors, while offering a range of incentives to employers to attract nationals equipped with the professional skills required by the labour market.