More than three-quarters of Bahrain’s workforce is made up of foreign migrant workers, mainly from India and Pakistan, as well as from other Arab countries. During periods when unemployment was high, there has been a demand for more jobs to go to the country’s own citizens.
In particular, demands have been placed on jobs for the Shi’ite Muslim majority, who were particularly hard hit by a job shortage. A large part of the immigrant labor force is Sunni Muslims, which has also contributed to the growing contradictions between Sunni and Shia Muslims since 2011 (see Current policy).
- According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER, BHR stands for the country of Bahrain in geography.
Official unemployment is low, but high population growth creates pressure on the labor market. To combat unemployment, the government has taken a number of measures: employment agencies have been set up, job training has been introduced and financial contributions to unemployed have been increased. The government has also made it more expensive to employ foreign workers and introduced contributions to the employment of Bahraini citizens. The influx of new foreign workers has decreased.
Many new jobs have been created in the service sector. Many Bahrainians are also looking for neighboring countries like Qatar in search of work.
By a constitutional change in 2002 (see Political system) it was allowed to form trade unions and strike. However, unions in the public sector were not allowed. The Arab Spring 2011 set the conditions at its forefront. One of the country’s largest unions initially participated in the protests by announcing a strike. A commission later found that several thousand workers had been fired or subjected to repression after striking or participating in demonstrations. Promises came from the country’s government, but the following year the law was amended to limit the activities of trade unions. The International Trade Union Confederation (IFS, or Ituc in English abbreviation) has since emphasized that unions in Bahrain are very vulnerable.
- COUNTRYAAH: List of key population facts of Bahrain, covering most basic population data, religion statistics, and language profiles.
FACTS – LABOR MARKET
Unemployment
1.0 percent (2019)
Youth Unemployment
5.3 percent (2019)
2013
December
Bahrain is accused of child abuse
The human rights organization Amnesty International accuses Bahrain of routinely imprisoning, abusing and torturing children suspected of participating in Shiite Muslim protests against the government.
Shia Muslims are sentenced to prison
Nearly 30 Shia Muslims are sentenced to three to seven years in prison for throwing gas bombs at police patrols. In a separate case, twelve men are sentenced to 15 years in prison for having set fire to a car company in the capital in connection with unrest in early 2012. Earlier in the fall, a long line of convictions fell against Shia Muslims. In most cases, these are explosive acts that caused material damage but no personal injury. In one case, 50 Shia Muslims are sentenced to imprisonment for up to 15 years for membership in the February 14 underground movement.
September
Police death in bombing
A policeman is killed and four injured when a bomb explodes in a village on the island of al-Muharraq. The bomb must have exploded when police confronted a terrorist group.
Dismissal of reconciliation call
Since the arrest of al-Wifaq’s Deputy Secretary-General Khalil Marzook, accused of urging young people to resort to violence and overthrow the government, al-Wifaq and four other groups leave the national reconciliation talks (see February 2013). Thousands of people are demonstrating in Manama against the arrest.
August
Demonstrations are banned in the capital
King Hamad forbids demonstrations in the capital Manama. The penalty is also tightened for parents of young people participating in protests. The police are preventing the demonstration in Manama that the opposition has planned in the middle of the month through extensive barriers, tear gas and rubber bullets. Clashes between police and activists also take place in other cities and villages in the country. A week later, Shia Muslims are conducting a minor manifestation in Manama and demanding political reform. A few days later, four police officers are injured by a car bomb when patrolling in a Shiite village.
July
Explosion in Shia Muslim village
One policeman is killed and two injured in an attack on a police station in a Shiite village. A week later, four police officers are injured when a remote-firing bomb is fired outside another Shiite village.
Stricter punishment for terrorist offenses
King Hamad agrees to tighten the scale of the anti-terror laws. An explosive attack or attempted such “for terrorist purposes” shall be punishable by at least ten years in prison. If an explosive attack results in someone being killed, the sentence is death or life imprisonment. Persons who carry out or call for “terrorist acts” should also be deprived of their Bahraini citizenship.
May
Shi’a Muslims protest against house search
About 10,000 Shi’a Muslims take part in a sitting strike organized by al-Wifaq to mark their dissatisfaction with the country’s highest Shi’ite leader, Isa Qasim, having his home searched by the authorities.
April
Thousands in protest of Formula One competitions
Thousands of residents are demonstrating ahead of the Formula 1 Grand Prix competitions taking place in Baharin at the end of the month. The protesters see the contests as a way for the government to give Bahrain some international glory and to cover up the abuses in the country.
March
Violent on the anniversary
About 30 people are injured in clashes between protesters and police on the two-year anniversary of the Saudi military march in Bahrain.
Police are sentenced for deadly violence
Two police officers are sentenced to every ten years in prison for killing an arrested Shiite protester in April 2011. Recently, three police officers in two separate cases have been sentenced to seven years in prison each for killing and shooting protesters, respectively.
Crown Prince Al Khalifa becomes Deputy Prime Minister
Crown Prince Salman Al Khalifa is named First Deputy Prime Minister. He is regarded as a relatively moderate force and the appointment is interpreted as an attempt by the regime to strike a more conciliatory tone towards the opposition.
January
Two deaths in protest
A young man and a police officer are killed in connection with unrest on the anniversary of the protests at Pärltorget 2011.
National dialogue begins
The opposition and the government are launching national dialogue to try to put an end to the unrest in the country.
Princess is accused of torture
One of the country’s princesses, Nora bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who is working on the country’s anti-drug authority, is accused of torturing three people during the 2011 wave of protests.
