Bahrain promises government jobs

MANAMA: Bahrain plans to create 20.000 jobs in his security apparatus can move to open a public service to disgruntled Shiite country and calm the protesters against the Sunni-led government.

Bahrain has seen its worst unrest since 1990 when the nascent youth movement encouraged by similar protests in other countries of the Arab world took to the streets last month and were met with tough police violence that killed seven.

Country, an ally of the United States and top oil exporter Saudi Arabia, managed by the family of Sunni al-Khalifa, and his Shiite majority of them complain of discrimination in the public service. The government denies this.

Bahraini Minister of Interior Sheikh Rashed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa told local newspaper editors on Saturday that King Hamad bin Isa ordered round of new hires in a number of government agencies, including the 20.000 jobs in his ministry.

"We hope that this move will have a positive impact on the safety and security of citizens," Al-Wasat daily quotes the minister as saying. "The minister said the national dialogue was the way to achieve political stability and increasing demand."

The opposition said that to interpret the statement as an attempt to appease Shiite protesters, who say the civil service were closed to them.

"I think it is mainly intended for the Shiites, in particular for the next alumni. Unequal opportunities is one reason why we people on the street," Jasim Hussein of Wefaq, the main opposition Shiite group said.

"The Ministry of Internal Affairs has been slow to create jobs, particularly for the Shias."

There is no official figure, as employed by armed forces of Bahrain and its police and security forces. Staff from the Ministry of Internal Affairs refused to comment, but said Details on the plans will be released later this week.

Bahrain has granted citizenship to Sunni foreigners serving in the armed forces, limiting the number of safe jobs in the state of its Shia population could potentially access.

Practice has long been a bone of contention for the opposition, who see it as an attempt to change the sectarian balance, a charge the government denies.