By SOMAN BABY
Published: 4th October 2007
BAHRAIN’S business community has strongly rejected the proposed six-year residence cap on expatriate workers in the Gulf.
The proposal, backed by Labour Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi, is to be discussed at the 28th GCC summit scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar, in December.
Under the proposal, expat workers could only be allowed to live in the GCC for a maximum of six years.
Dr Al Alawi said earlier that the cap was necessary to preserve the identity of the Gulf, which he says is being diluted by foreign workers.
But the move would have a negative impact on the Gulf’s economy, said Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) chairman Dr Esam Fakhro.
By SOMAN BABY
Published: 4th October 2007
BAHRAIN’S business community has strongly rejected the proposed six-year residence cap on expatriate workers in the Gulf.
The proposal, backed by Labour Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi, is to be discussed at the 28th GCC summit scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar, in December.
Under the proposal, expat workers could only be allowed to live in the GCC for a maximum of six years.
Dr Al Alawi said earlier that the cap was necessary to preserve the identity of the Gulf, which he says is being diluted by foreign workers.
But the move would have a negative impact on the Gulf’s economy, said Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) chairman Dr Esam Fakhro.
“We had expressed our concern last year when the Labour Minister made a similar proposal,” he told the GDN.
“We have taken up the issue with the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the GCC.
“We strongly believe that putting a limitation across-the-board on the expatriates’ stay in the Gulf will only prove an impediment to the GCC’s growth.”
Dr Fakhro said he was of the opinion that such an issue should not be even discussed at the GCC summit.
“We have no shame to say that Bahrain always requires foreign know-how and people with calibre,” he noted.
“The proposed cap is in contradiction with Bahrain’s labour reforms project.
“We at BCCI are always ready to offer consultations to the government when they study new laws and regulations, especially on the labour force in the country.”
No businessman would want to make Bahrain a training school for expatriate workers, said BCCI second deputy chairman Adel Al Maskati.
“Under the proposal, people with experience should leave after six years and they have to be replaced by a new set of expatriates,” he noted.
“No business can afford to train expatriates on a regular basis. The proposal will only rob employers of experienced staff.
“Small and medium enterprises will be worst hit by such a move. All employers will prefer to have a continuity in their staff pattern, as their performance improves with time.”
Mr Al Maskati said the proposal had been made in the national interest as expatriates who stay longer would become entitled for citizenship, causing another burden on the country’s limited resources.
“The outflow of money is another concern,” he added.
“However, the bulk of the expatriates are labourers working in the construction sector and they do not stay that long in the Gulf.
“If highly-qualified professionals, including doctors and engineers, become citizens, they will only add value to our economy.”
AA Nass Group managing director and BCCI contractors committee chairman Samir Nass said putting a residency cap on expatriate workers was a violation of human rights.
“The business community in the Gulf will strongly reject such a proposal,” he added.
“When we talk about globalisation and freedom of workers, the proposed cap is a totally prejudiced move.
“It is also against Islam to differentiate between people based on their nationality and colour.”
Mr Nass said anybody who works hard should be rewarded.
“Experienced people perform better, and we don’t want to make Bahrain a training school for newly arriving expatriates,” he added.
Another top businessman, who wished not to be named, said Bahrain should not back such an “uncivilised” proposal.
“How can the Labour Minister who talks about eliminating the sponsorship system back such a proposal, which is a clear violation of human rights?” he asked. “This is a free world and no one can limit the stay of foreign workers who contribute towards the development of the Gulf.” soman@gdn.com.bh
© Gulf Daily News