Tamkeen (ar|تمكين, "enablement") is an semi-autonomous government agency in Bahrain. It was founded in 2006 by National Communication Centre to provide assistance and training to private-sector businesses and individuals, and to promote development of that sector. The chairman is Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa.[1]
Tamkeen is funded by fees collected from the private sector by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority. At 2012, these fees include a BD200 charge imposed on companies for foreign work permits, as well as a BD10 monthly tax for each foreign worker they employ. However, MP Isa Al Kooheji said it was still unclear exactly where Tamkeen's money was being spent, because a detailed statement had never been presented to the National Assembly.[2] There were 600,857 foreign workers in Bahrain at the end of the second quarter of 2018, compared to 158,814 Bahrainis employed.[3]
The agency has taken steps to improve the employability of, and employment rate for, women in Bahrain, where in 2009–2010 approximately 80% of unemployed people were female. It provided training courses and grants, and organised a training and employment exhibition for women only. By 2011 almost, 12000 women had been helped by the agency.