McKinsey on labour market reforms
Tuesday, September 21, 2004Man, I can't believe that the government needed a report from bloody McKinsey & Co (which must have to cost a hefty sum) to be convinced of the things that many of us ordinary folk have been saying for years. That said, I'm not complaining, because its better late than never. At long last the government is now recognizing the huge flaws in its Bahrainization policy of the past 8 years.
From today's GDN
Wake-up call on wages
A wake-up call went out yesterday to Bahrain businesses which survive on the back of cheap expatriate labour. The low-wage culture must go if Bahrain is to meet soaring demand for jobs, say experts.
Bahrain must level the labour playing field and create a skilled national workforce, with well-paid jobs that will attract Bahrainis, says a team probing potential labour and economic reforms.
The low-wage private sector business structure cannot produce jobs for the 100,000 Bahrainis entering the labour market over the next 10 years, said McKinsey & Company Middle East managing partner Kito de Boer.
The company has been studying potential labour market reforms in conjunction with the Economic Development Board, chaired by Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Labour and Social Affairs Ministry and the Interior Ministry.
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9/22/2004 12:53:00 am
One step in the right direction. The other, and harder issue to tackle is the "work ethic" of many Bahrainis.
9/22/2004 05:32:00 pm
Definitely. Changing work ethics, and the "wasta culture" are far more difficult than changing the labour market regime. However my hope is that once Bahrainis realize that they should not expect the state to nanny them, and that they must compete with expats in productivity, then this may at least provoke some changes in work ethics. I hope it works, and that the government is serious this time.
9/22/2004 10:48:00 pm
I am all for fair wages for Bahrainis. The biggest underlying problem that MUST be dealt with is the lack of work ethic among the employable in Bahrain. Why do or should I employ someone who wants a free ride to a paycheck? Why should I invest the time and money into training someone who will not work or worse jump ship for a few extra BD IF that? The problem is at least twofold. Wages MUST be raised BUT personal responsability must also be engaged. You can do what you want on paper but if the core values of a work ethic aren't there then the pot will only be stirred and will never boil.