Bahrain reinforces commitment to balancing technology and job sustainability
Workers were honoured yesterday as Bahrain marked Labour Day with a focus on preparing for the changes artificial intelligence and automation are bringing to the world of work.
The country's two main union federations, the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions and the Bahrain Free Labour Unions Federation, held separate ceremonies under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Ministers, MPs, business leaders and delegates from the Arab Labour Organisation were in attendance.
Contributions
A number of workers from different sectors were honoured for their contributions.
The Minister of Legal Affairs and Acting Minister of Labour, His Excellence Yousif bin Abdulhussain Khalaf, addressed both gatherings, opening with messages of thanks from HM the King and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
He praised the kingdom's workforce for keeping the economy running and acknowledged the pressure brought by fast-moving change.
Speaking at the Free Labour Unions Federation's event at the Gulf Hotel, the minister said the government was keeping a close watch on the effects of artificial intelligence.
The technology, he said, was already shaping how people are hired, trained and managed.
Rather than resist these shifts, Bahrain intends to prepare.
Khalaf said new policies and laws were being drawn up to keep the labour market steady while encouraging the wise use of new tools.
Goal
The goal, he said, was to help workers adapt while holding on to stable jobs.
He named the 2023-2026 National Labour Market Plan as a central part of this effort.
The plan aims to steer the economy towards knowledge-led sectors, bring in longterm investment and open the door for more Bahrainis to enter the workforce.
He added that recent changes to labour law had been shaped to meet global standards and to ensure workplaces remain fair and clear for all.
Dialogue
He called for honest dialogue between government, employers and workers.
No single side, he said, can deal with the pace of change alone.
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