Bahrain's job market remains stable despite the country's challenges, said a top government official, adding that the second quarter of the year reflected the importance of united efforts to back the economy.

A total of 5,353 citizens were employed during the second quarter, at a monthly average of 1,784, said Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan, quoting new statistics revealed yesterday (August 21).

Non-recruitment of women due to their long and often frequent pregnancy leave after every birth - which can be up to seven months - also affects the figures.

Unemployment was 6,317, slightly pushing up the ratio from 3.8 per cent to 4.3 per cent, due to a higher introduction of unemployed females to the market of 76 per cent, compared with 27 per cent.

Unemployed and employed females constituted 72 per cent and 32 per cent respectively as of March-end, which poses more challenges to the ministry to intensify efforts and accelerate programmes and activities to create attractive job opportunities for job-seekers, the minister stressed.

Unemployment beneficiaries rose from 3,887 at the beginning of April to 4,551 by end of June.

Dismissed employees increased slightly from 582 to 584 and the number of trainee job-seekers increased from 6,136 to 8,874, at 44.6 per cent.

Job opportunities decreased from 2,564 to 1,029, as of June-end, the minister said. – TradeArabia News Service