Prejudice against work in the hospitality sector is preventing Bahrainis from finding jobs, despite 5,000 vacancies being posted by the Labour Ministry every month, according to the Minister.

Around 2,000 Bahrainis gained employment every month on "reasonable pay" despite many snubbing the service industry altogether, Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan told the Gulf Daily News.

"We have 2,000 Bahrainis joining the labour market every month on reasonable pay from the pool of 5,000 jobs that are available," said Humaidan. ”This pool is constantly getting renewed with more opportunities. Hotels and the hospitality sector come to us with many jobs monthly, but due to a misunderstanding these jobs are being snubbed”.

"These are decent jobs and include roles in administration, reception, maintenance and accounting departments - it is not just work serving food and beverages. We are trying to change attitudes as we open up this sector to thousands of Bahrainis - with future training programmes being tailored in that regard”.

"We have researchers present in all employment centres across the country's governorates to meet with jobseekers and speak with them about their preferences, abilities and interests," he said.

"Jobseekers must show up for appointments to ensure that they have a genuine case and that if they refuse work, it is because there was nothing suitable for them and are looking for something better. We cannot greenlight monthly payments from the unemployment fund if jobseekers fail to keep their appointments or lack what it takes to join the labour market.

According to 2013 statistics, hotels employ 11,654 people, of whom 1,892 are Bahrainis. A total of 6,952 people work in restaurants, of whom 760 are Bahrainis, thus making 11% of the overall number. Bakeries employ 122 Bahrainis, which is 13% of the total workforce which stands at 908.