Plans to increase the number of Bahraini employees in the hospitality sector are in the pipeline, said a top government official.

It was announced after Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan suggested a proposal to increase the level of Bahrainisation in the field. "The hospitality sector is promising and plays an important role in the national economy," said Humaidan in a statement.

He was speaking after chairing a meeting at the Supreme Council for Vocational Training, which also discussed reports to upgrade the Bahrain College of Hospitality.

The council approved a proposal to relocate the college because the existing building was not suitable to serve as an educational facility.

Humaidan stressed the importance of promoting incentives for Bahrainis to work in the sector. "Studying this field is very important because of the decreasing number of Bahrainis working in the hospitality sector and solutions need to be suggested which will address this issue," he said.

The council also approved a plan to boost the salaries of private sector employees who earn less than BD250 ($663) a month.

It studied proposals submitted by councils of hospitality, telecommunications and information technology. – TradeArabia News Service