Gulf Daily News Saturday, 31st January 2015 Email: [email protected] 5 n A presentation on how Tamkeen can help international business was the topic of a presentation dinner organised by the Italian Bahraini Friendship Association. The event took place at ART Rotana Amwaj Islands and was attended by members of the Italian community in Bahrain, as well as Bahraini businessmen. Above, Esam Hammad, from Tamkeen customer engagement and support, addressing the forum. Right, some of the participants. Future of workers hangs in balance HUNDREDS of public sector workers formerly employed in the now-defunct Central Governorate are still awaiting new government jobs more than four months after the administrative division was abolished. In September, His Majesty King Hamad issued a Royal Decree disbanding the Central Governorate and all bodies that formerly came under it. A three-month grace period was initially put in place for the members of staff affected by the decision to be reallocated new jobs, but this has now By MOHAMMED AL A’ALI expired – leaving 297 former Central Municipality and Central Municipal Council employees effectively in limbo. They are still “operating under a temporary authorisation” as Central employees, according to Southern Municipal Council chairman Ahmed Al Ansari, who stressed that a solution must be found. Southern Municipality director-general Assem Abdullatif suggested that these staff members be offered early retirement if they cannot be found jobs in one of the worried as many have firemaining four governornancial obligations and ates. don’t want to be forced However, Mr Al Ansari into early retirement besaid such a move would cause they have budgeted negatively impact on the according to their current employees’ finances. wages. “A’ali Municipality has “There are vacancies in been taken by Northern, the Works, Municipalities Tubli and Sitra Municand Urban Planning Afipalities are now under fairs Ministry that could the Capital and Isa Town be filled and financial arMunicipality comes under rangements to fund the n Mr Al Ansari Southern,” said Mr Al Antransition should be made sari. by the Finance Ministry.” “Former Central employees are Mr Abdullatif said a “special com- mittee” had been set up to study each case “on an individual basis”. “We have suggested that some take early retirement with improved benefits or receive ‘virtual years of service’, so they end up with a good deal,” he said. “Others will be reallocated jobs according to a list to be prepared by the Civil Service Bureau. “It will see them moved either to the Northern and Muharraq municipalities and municipal councils, the Southern Municipal Council and our establishment, or the Capital Trustees Authority.” The task was being made more difficult, Mr Abdullatif said, because the “corresponding job titles” for high ranking officials were “already occupied” in other governorates. Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry urban planning head Wael Al Mubarak said a study had to be completed before all 297 employees could be found new job roles. Showcasing Bahrain’s artistic talent By RAJI UNNIKRISHNAN AN ART space which brought together local artists and musicians, Malja (sanctuary), was opened yesterday in Amwaj Islands. The non-profit venue put together by Red Bull Bahrain and designed by Bahrain-based Spoon Design Consultants includes a café, an art and dance studio, a gallery and a recording studio. The platform aims to provide artists an outlet to showcase their talents and is free to access for all residents of Bahrain and the region, while workshops and use of facilities will be on an entry fee depending on the event. Malja will be open daily from noon to 5pm. More information is available on the website or Instagram @ maljabahrain. Extended n The people behind the project, from left, Conor Maguire, Sara Valente, Wafa Obaidat, Tarik Omar, Frances Stafford and Yasmin Sharabi “This will take time as we have to study each individual’s needs and the employment structures in each governorate without emotion,” he said. “Suitable employees will be moved to jobs that match their qualifications and not en masse.” The “temporary authorisation” for the former Central employees has now been extended by another three months, giving officials until the end of March to resolve the situation. Former employees of the Central Governorate Security Directorate, which fell under the Interior Ministry’s remit, have already been moved to new jobs. [email protected]