Tamkeen (lf)

Tamkeen (LF) is a semiautonomous yet independent entity governed by a Board of Directors which formulates strategic and operational plans in order to implement the reform strategy and recommendations. Tamkeen (LF) will use the fees collected by the LMRA in order to plan and implement specific programmes that develop new entrants and assist them in being attractive potential employees to achieve sustainable employment as well as develop existing workforce.

A Tamkeen (LF) objective is to enhance the prosperity of Bahrain and its citizens by investing in Bahraini employability via training and employment initiatives as well as job creation via private sector support initiatives. The LMRA will play a regulatory role within the labour market, with emphasis placed on expatriate labour, in order to ensure that the new labour legislations are being adhered to. The expatriate labour fees are also being regulated and administered by this new entity as the new legislation will entail a gradual increase in the cost of employing expatriates which in turn results in making the local workforce a preferred choice.

The objectives of Tamkeen(LF)’s programmes are to enhance the overall prosperity of Bahrain by investing in Bahraini employability, job creation and private sector support. Hence, Tamkeen (LF)'s main objectives are (i) to support Bahrainis to become the employees of choice, and (ii) to support high quality private sector job creation and helping the private sector cope with the impact of labour market reform.

The skills gap report and other studies identified a severe shortage of internationally qualified accountants and other financial investment specialists to serve the financial as well as other economic sectors in Bahrain.

As one of the initiatives to help Bahrainis become the employees of choice, the Tamkeen (LF) intends to implement a specific training programme to develop Bahrainis to acquire international