the opening of the Seventh Conference on Working Women .. Minister of Labour adamant on supporting employment of Bahraini women in vital sectors

21-12-2022

H.E. Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour, has pointed that Bahraini women have clearly proven their achievements and successes in all fields and productive sectors making them deserve the support and attention they continually receive from all official and civil authorities in the Kingdom of Bahrain. At the forefront of this attention is the high thoughtfulness of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the prudence of the government headed by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the pivotal role in supporting the advancement of Bahraini women through the Supreme Council for Women headed by HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women. This came in a speech delivered by HE the Minister of Labour during his patronage and opening today, Wednesday, the Seventh Conference for Working Women, organized by the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions, from 21 to 22 December, under the title "The Future of Working Women in the Health Sector", at the Diplomat Hotel. Also present at the opening were HH Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour, Mr. Abdul Qadir Abdul Karim Al Shehabi, Secretary-General of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions, representatives of institutions, civil society organisations and union figures. In addition to the participation of the Norwegian Workers' Federation at this event. The discussions of this conference focused on key themes, mainly women's work in the health sector and their role in the medicare system, in addition to employment opportunities in private hospitals, job stability and work environment. H.E. the Minister of Labour asserted that Bahraini women have received attention from all competent authorities, pointing to the keenness of the Government to issue several laws that support the employment of women in the private sector. Not to mention the initiatives and programs that ensure the provision of an appropriate work environment and requirements, praising the efficiency and capabilities of women in various production areas and their commitment to the values of work, perseverance and diligence. He pointed out that there are many initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Labour in cooperation with the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) by providing many incentives to increase the pace of employment of Bahraini women in various vital and attractive sectors in line with the objectives of the economic recovery plan, pointing to the importance of creating promising job opportunities and making the citizen the first choice in the labor market. After that, the minister drew attention to the project that supports the wages of female citizens working in the private sector who work in part-time and remote work systems, well suited with their social and family status. Humaidan went on to explain that this project allows working women to fully benefit from all the privileges granted to the national workforce within the regular labour system. Humaidan also explained that Bahraini women accounted for 40.3% of the total number of employees in the private sector until last October. The private health sector has also witnessed a growth in women's employment making up to 73% of the total recruitment operations carried out in the sector. In addition, the female workers represent 62% of the total Bahraini workers in the health sector, according to data obtained from mid-2022. For his part, Mr. Abdul Qadir Abdul Karim Al Shehabi, Secretary General of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions, stressed the need to continue supporting women in the labour market and union work. He pointed out the importance of what the education and health sectors represented, as there were many working women in those sectors who could absorb the largest percentage of qualifications in the labour market. Moreover, he focused attention on the great role played by Bahraini women in the kindergarten sector and the existence of possibilities and opportunities to accommodate more female job seekers to develop this sector, as it is an important educational pillar. The Secretary-General of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions praised the distinguished efforts made by the medical sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, through the wonderful models of giving and sacrifice made by medical staff, especially female cadres, in the public and private sectors. For that very reason, he affirmed the support of the General Union for the efforts and initiatives of the Ministry of Labour and the competent national authorities to qualify citizens and enhance their employment opportunities as the first choice in all productive sectors, as well as supporting their wages and improving their professional performance.