She said that her ministry had 143 temporary employees in 2006, out of which 105 have so far been permanently employed in line with the vacancies available.

Shaikha Mai said that the BRTC was in need of the employees, but was unable to employ them, since a new employment structure was still being studied.

"The moment we manage to get the new structure approved, then we will be able to assign the required budget either from BRTC coffers or the governments," she said.

"However, if there are no vacancies for them, then we can only manage to have them employed on a contract basis."

She was responding to a question by council foreign affairs, defence and national security committee vice-chairman Ahmed Bahzad on the numbers of Bahrainis on temporary contracts at BRTC and any plans to have them permanently employed.

"The problem is that the BRTC is a respected establishment that has managed to train and qualify many media personnel over the years, but due to many being on temporary contracts, they are easily being tempted to leave for other established television and radio stations," said Mr. Bahzad.

"Instability and insecurity has led to the migration of many Bahrainis, which has led to weakening the BRTC.”Bahrainis are the real assets. We are confident that the minister will do whatever possible to make these employees feel at home."