Bill seeks to deter companies from abusing ‘Tamkeen’ funding by demanding reimbursement of unfair dismissals of Bahraini employees | THE DAILY TRIBUNE

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The House of Representatives Committee on Services is currently considering a bill that would require companies to repay all funds received from the Tamkeen Labor Fund for the purpose of employing Bahrainis, in cases where the company unfairly dismisses those Bahraini employees.

The explanatory memorandum accompanying the bill specifies that it aims to establish greater social justice and to prevent the misuse of article 110 of the law on employment in the private sector by certain employers, which which undermines social justice.

The memorandum emphasizes that “Tamkeen” actively supports various business activities to encourage employment of Bahrainis.

However, the use of Article 110 to terminate the contracts of Bahraini employees without valid reasons provides some employers with an opportunity to take advantage of “Tamkeen” without adhering to the intended objectives of the support.

The memorandum cites cases in previous years where companies terminated the employment of Bahrainis who had been supported by “Tamkeen”, necessitating a deterrent measure to prevent such incidents from happening again.

The proposed law would require employers to repay all funds received from “Tamkeen” for the purpose of hiring Bahrainis if they fail to retain the Bahraini employee under circumstances deemed justifiable by the Ministry of Labor.

This legal deterrent would discourage employers from taking unfair advantage of “Tamkeen” and prevent the termination of Bahraini employees’ contracts in cases where it is not justified, according to the legal framework.

The bill was signed by MPs Basma Mubarak, Mohammed Al Ahmed, Hanan Fardan, Hisham Al Awadhi and Mohammed Al Husaini.