Bahrain’s parliament is planning a major overhaul, with more than 30 per cent of its permanent staff deemed to be unqualified for their positions.

It means employees could lose their jobs as the elected chamber seeks to streamline its operations, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The news is in line with cost-cutting measures adopted by the government in the face of mounting public debt and a growing budget deficit, which is expected to reach BD1.504 billion ($3.9 billion) this year and BD1.505 billion in 2016.

Details of the plan are due to be revealed in the coming days, but parliament secretary-general Abdulla Al Dossary revealed yesterday that it would involve merging departments, rotating department heads, changing job descriptions and firing unnecessary staff.

Speaking after a meeting of parliament’s special administrative development committee, Al Dossary said the initiative involved finding suitable roles for qualified staff based on their specialisation, qualifications and experience.

Staff will also be banned from having any political affiliation and new employment has now been suspended until recruitment criteria is drawn up.

Al Dossary said the idea was to ensure efficient spending by parliament and ensure proper use of human resources.

“We have 280 employees and more than 30pc are not put in posts or jobs that suit them,” said Al Dossary.

“A new employment structure has been completed in line with the needs of our future vision, taking into account our previous challenges and observations.

“Details are expected within the next few days and they will involve merging numerous departments together, while rotating directors and heads, changing job descriptions and introducing new ones, while removing those unneeded (staff).

“We have to correct things. Professionalism is necessary while ensuring our employees have no political affiliation with any society, ideology or group so they provide services to all in a just, proper manner.”

The news follows the delayed approval of Bahrain’s national budget for 2015 and 2016, based on an oil price that has halved in the past year.

Bahrain has had to find ways to rein in spending, with oil revenues accounting for at least 80 per cent of the country’s revenues.

It raised the debt ceiling from BD5 billion to BD7 billion last November and is scrapping meat subsidies from August 1, while the GDN reported yesterday that a new tax on sewage services was in the pipeline.

The overhaul of parliament’s staff has been drawn up by the special administrative development committee, which was formed by parliament chairman Ahmed Al Mulla in December.

“We are planning to introduce a new employees’ disciplinary code and new administrative affairs bulletin to encourage a healthy working 
environment and motivate better contribution (from staff),” said Al Dossary.

“Employment has been suspended by Al Mulla to allow us to select the most qualified and suitable candidates according to needs and in line with available financing and funding.

“Our new approach is to have the most qualified, experienced and competent individuals who are knowledgeable, have university certificates and know English.”

Al Dossary said parliament was hoping to use money it saves to launch new training projects.

“We are planning to launch the first parliamentary training and studies centre in the region,” he said.

“Our employees will also be sent on courses locally and abroad to develop and improve, knowledge doesn’t stop at a certain point.

“The community outreach scheme that was launched in January will see members representing not just our employees sent on visits around the world to learn from others’ experiences.”

The announcement follows Al Mulla’s decision to fire an assistant secretary-general affiliated with a political society in February, while at least three other employees have been encouraged to retire this year although no reasons were given. - TradeArabia News Service