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Job Opportunities in Bahrain
Author: Geetika Jain
Bahrain is the smallest of the Gulf States but financially and politically, it wields a lot of influence in the area. Like all other Gulf States, it is also in an aggressively developmental stage and has a lot of job opportunities for foreign workers but not on a permanent basis. Bahrain does not encourage foreigners to settle down permanently. It encourages temporary employment for foreign workers. There are a lot of job opportunities in all upcoming sectors such as construction, banking, oil and gas and teaching. Thus, for those looking to work in Bahrain, it is good to have a beforehand knowledge of the area, the living style here, the culture and of course the ample job opportunities that the place has to offer.
As mentioned earlier, foreign workers aren’t mostly allowed to settle down permanently here, but it does not mean that they are treated lousily. Expatriates are meted out a fair treatment but in a controlled manner. They are appreciated for their contribution, paid well and at the end of their stint, thanked for what they did. The main reason behind this is that the government is trying to make the region self-sufficient. It is putting in all efforts to ensure jobs and employment for its own young people. The authorities are making a lot of investment in education and social welfare and hopes that the local population will become sufficient in terms of workforce in the years to come. Youth are also inclined towards education and many leave for foreign universities to attain education.
Currently, foreign workers are required in large numbers and the demand would be there for at least another two to three decades. However, with the changing face of the region, the number of foreign workers and the type of skill requirements will undergo a change. For instance, currently there are a lot of infrastructure projects in full swing in Bahrain, owing to the construction of new roads, airports, ports etc. However, once these projects are over, the demand for manual workers in this industry will climb down. Apart from the infrastructure projects, the commercial development has also led to many building and construction programmes. Thus, construction workers are in demand there.
Bahrain’s economy is a fast growing one. Many sectors are coming up and there is huge demand for professionally trained workforce. People with managerial, professional and technological experience are and will remain to be in strong demand. This demand is slated to remain strong for many years to come. However, unlike western countries, where there is huge demand for citizenships owing to mass immigration, Bahrain will never see an explosion in the expatriate population. The rule of the land doesn’t allow it. Foreigners can neither become citizens of Bahrain nor own any property here. If anybody wishes to start a business here, he/she has to find a local partner who has the major holding in the project.
The discovery of oil on the Arabian Peninsula side of the Gulf first happened in Bahrain. This discovery coincided with the breakdown of the global pearl market. Earlier, pearl trading was a crucial part of Bahrain’s economy. The oil and gas industry has job opportunities though it accounts for only 10 to 15 per cent of the GDP of Bahrain. The oil companies in Bahrain have extensive development plans and offer good on-site facilities their employees and their families.
Another major employer is the aluminum industry which forms a significant portion of Bahrain’s non-oil based exports. The major employer in Bahrain apart from these two is the banking sector. Bahrain reigns supreme in the financial services industry. Bahrain boasts of branches by banks from all over the world. They carry out retail, investment and off-shore operations in Bahrain. There are almost 200 international banks and financial institutions in Bahrain which require talented workforce. So, there are many job opportunities in this sector. Teaching English is another good job opportunity. Apart from that, telecom and tourism are the other two fast growing sectors in Bahrain.
Once you have decided to work in Bahrain, there are other general issues that one has to take care of. The culture and lifestyle here would be different to your own and the restrictions imposed would be too many. Bahrain is a very conservative society. It does not approve of homosexuality or live-in relationships. It also does not encourage proximity between male ad female colleagues or friends. Also, one has to be sure that the relocation would be beneficial for one’s career prospects. Another concern is that whether your family and children will take this relocation easily.
To work and stay in Bahrain, you need a local sponsor here. Sponsor could be your employer who will ensure your work permit and residence visa formalities to stay here. There are very strict rules regarding this in Bahrain. Consult the foreign office in your country before traveling to Bahrain.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/job-opportunities-in-bahrain-710153.html
About the Author
Geetika Jain writes on behalf of NaukriGulf.com, a leading job portal for
jobs in Gulf Region, Jobs in Dubai, Middle East jobs. Naukri.com’s foray into the Middle East is an endeavour to provide established client base with services that best meet their international requirements as well as expand our operations on to a global arena.
What are the job opportunities in banks for expatriate women?
I am a banker in India . I will be relocating to Riyadh since my husband is working there. I would like ot know the career options for expatriate women especially in Banking
None.
Well… almost none. I looked into moving into Riyahd and found that my wife, who is professional and made more money than me, would essentially not be able to work. This isn’t to say that women CAN’T get a job in Saudi, but it is very difficult.
First, it is one of the most male dominated societies in the world and the Wahhabists segregate the genders. Women are prohibited from riding in cars with a man who is not their relative. You won’t be allowed into a bank unless it has a women-only branch. You won’t be able to go into a restaraunt unless it has “family” section. You won’t be able to go outside unaccompanied, unless you live in a compound.
Now I know of some Saudi women who do work, but they tend to work for charities, the government and retail shops in women-only malls. And these were Saudi women. Chances for expatriate women is even lower. I have never heard of an expatriate woman getting a job in Saudi (except as a teacher).
No, my dear. You may be professional, smart, rich, experienced and wise… but you are just a woman in that society’s eyes.
Expect to stay at home with the kids. While they were offering a huge salary for me to move my family to Riyahd. Just enjoy your life in the compound.
(Later addendum: I forgot to add that there is an ethnic pecking order in Saudi Arabia. Saudis are on top of the pyramid followed by other Sunnis, followed by Shiites then Westerners, then followed by a pecking order of ethnicities largely based upon how rich the countries are/what jobs those ethnicities tend to do in Saudi. For example, Pakistanis, Yemenis and Bangladeshi are seen as in the middle because they are Muslim, but not on top because they do construction. Phillipinos tend to get the shaft because they are usually Catholic construction workers. I am not sure about Indians, but my guess is that they are somewhere near the bottom. I’m not trying to be alarmist, but that’s the way it is.)
What is interstate banking and how has this affected the banking industry and job opportunities?
interstate banking is a subject that has been around for many years. when i was in b-school in the mid 80s it was touted as a new concept in which banks could freely lend across state lines. there was some hesitant legislation that would allow borrowing in one state and lending in another, and vice versa.
my prof said it should be freely allowed.
i argued that it should not because smaller states would see their net capital reduced and sent to more prosperous states with better short run opportunities, eventually bankrupting the smaller poorer states.
he replied that this was a debate that went back to Andrew Jackson and his advocacy of small local banks vs. those who advocated a single bank of the u.s.
then he pointed out that the debate had already been decided with the advent of the ffd wire. money was free to migrate where it would anywhere in the usa.
i replied that ffd loans were overnight short term loans that had to be rapidly repaid and did not amount to long term capital investments across state lines.
he replied that the short run becomes the long run as tiny little migrations of cash accumulate into huge amounts of cash that remain on average where the best opportunies are.
he won the argument in my opinion.
if you think about it, his argument explains immigration patterns too. money migrates across state lines and people follow the capital to find the jobs that it create.
if you think about it further, his argument even explains immigration across national lines. as letters of credit migrate to america to pay for goods, services and securities, so do the people, legal and illegal, who seek the jobs that the capital creates.
Hi dear,can anyone tell me what job opportunities awaits someone who studies Intl banking & Finance?
Hi.am actually stocked up with either choosing to study International law & World Economy and then International Banking&Finance.The problem is that I just dont know what job opportunities awaits both.I dont want to end up reading a course that the demand is low or not even available.Am Confused & have limited time to make up my decision.
Hello Darling,
From my extensive career in banking with Citibank, all I can recommend in the field is corporate lawyer studies, especially in the field of foreign tax advantages.
Corporations always seek people who can save them money with offshore investments that generate tax savings.
Other than that, the field keeps getting smaller as they keep downsizing after merging.
I know, it’s not a good feeling to have when you are about to spend lots of money on education, only to find they keep laying off.
Are there job opportunities in investment banking in Florida?
After I finish my master’s degree in Finance I would like to go into investment banking. People tell me start in New York and I probably will. But after a couple years is it possible to make a good living as an investment banker in Florida? I grew up there and would like to return.
A great part time job is doing Free Surveys Online. Its a Fast, Easy and simple way to make extra money. check this blog for info and Proof of Payments
http://ExtraMoneyForBills.blogspot.com
What is available in Spain in terms of Financial/Banking job opportunities?
…and how does it compare with the opportunities in London in terms of pay?
I am studying a Banking & Finance degree from LSE and want to consider all options. I think the prospect of working in a warmer climate in a (possibly) cheaper location is very exciting…
Many thanks,
sk.
PS: before you ask, my Spanish is pretty good
Cindy…. why did you defile my question with your s**tty answer?
LSE is a good school. They should have a Careers Department that you can visit and ask if they have reciprocal arrangements with other universities in Spain that help graduates find work.