Bahrain labour ministry fast-tracks jobs drive under royal directive

Wide-ranging measures have been implemented by the Labour and Legal Affairs Ministry to enforce a royal directive mandating the provision of three job opportunities for every registered job-seeker, Labour and Legal Affairs Minister Yousif Khalaf has said.

Addressing a parliamentary question submitted by MP Hassan Ibrahim, Mr. Khalaf revealed that thousands of citizens have already secured employment under the initiative, which was launched following a directive issued on September 28 by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

“The royal directive represented a clear national priority, and the ministry moved immediately and decisively to ensure its implementation within the specified timeframe,” the minister told parliament. He said the ministry mobilized all available resources, partnerships, and technical capabilities to meet the directive’s objectives.

Mr. Khalaf explained that the ministry worked in close coordination with Tamkeen, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), and the Bahrain Chamber to activate a comprehensive action plan. The plan focused on accelerating job matching processes, expanding employer participation, and significantly increasing the number of daily interviews conducted for job-seekers.

To cope with the surge in demand, the ministry extended its working hours from 7am to 7pm and opened additional interview halls. Staffing levels were doubled, while parking capacity at ministry facilities was expanded to ensure smoother access for job-seekers.

The minister added that these operational changes were designed to remove bottlenecks and ensure that candidates could be assessed and matched with suitable opportunities as quickly as possible. Employers were also encouraged to engage more actively with the program to help meet national employment targets.

The initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen employment opportunities for citizens and enhance labor market efficiency, in line with Bahrain’s economic recovery and development goals.