Negotiating salary and benefits in Bahrain

Hi Bhavna,

I feel it depends on the sector a person is joining. Let me explain by defining it as organized and unorganized. This is from an expatriate point of view.

In the organized sector, you have MNCs where processes are followed as per rules and regulations put in place by the ministry. So when a person gets an offer he can negotiate as per the market standards & his or her qualifications & experience & most important the urgency by the employer to fill the position. This includes accommodation, vehicle &  incentives like flight tickets, a family visa.

When it comes to the unorganized sector where today the maximum number of expatriates are employed the employers bend rules as per their whim and fancy. For example, delay in salaries for months together,  passports being retained by the employers and a general feeling of insecurity that if the employee raises an alarm he or she can be replaced with another or the worst is getting blacklisted. Today it's the employer's market & they are misusing the situation extremely well. Since the last couple of years, Bahrain markets are not offering enough job opportunities to prospective candidates and so people take what they get without any complaints in the hope that things will improve.  Hence the cycle continues and life goes on.

I am employed in a local private architecture firm as architect.  As the present market scenario in bahrain is really bad for almost all the sectors, my job benefits and salary are much lower compared to my experience and qualifications. No air ticket, no dependant visa, no allowances in any manner, nothing.. just the salary they agreed. The salary now i am getting itself is only coz i negotiated so much. But since it is very difficult  to lead a normal life in bahrain with a single earning person in family, i was forced to accept the offer and join this office. Even the approach of the authorities towards expatriates are really depressing us. Still hope that the market will boom soon and we expats will get benefitted soon.