A HEATED exchange over an Arab adviser in the government saw an MP leave his seat to confront a minister.
Khalid Bu Onk leaked documents from the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) on an Egyptian adviser who holds a bachelor’s degree in law being paid a monthly salary of BD3,500.
Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain, who is politically responsible for the CSB, said the adviser was now in Egypt, working partially and receiving much less than what is mentioned in his 2010 contract.
“We are not at war with expats and we only bring the most qualified who serve our best interests,” he said.
Mr Bu Onk said ministers were taking revenge on MPs whenever they uncover corruption or speak against them.
“The ministers stop the employment of MPs’ children, their promotions or make their lives’ difficult in government jobs out of spite,” he said.
“We have Bahrainis with bachelor’s degrees who want the job of an adviser. This is ‘haram’ for our children and the CSB and other ministries as the government continues to employ outsiders rather than employ Bahrainis.”
Mr Al Buainain also responded to another question by Sayed Falah Hashim on employees under overseas contracts with private companies employed to do government work.
Housing Minister Bassem Al Hamer also responded to questions on the East Sitra Housing Town and new housing projects in the Northern Governorate constituency three (Budaiya, Jasra and Hamala).
MPs also voted on a new probe into social housing services provided by the ministry, fair distribution and construction specifics.
Names will be announced next week.
Urgent proposals approved and referred to the Cabinet were:
l Halting plans by the real estate arm Edamah to offer six plots under it for sale;
l Stopping housing instalments for the families of deceased;
l Providing government support for private school bus drivers; and
l Establishing a website for the Bahrain Team, highlighting goals, policies, achievements and all of those working under it.
MPs also voted on an urgent proposal to issue a statement on Bahraini Woman’s Day with the Parliament Speaker deputised to write it up.
Speaker Fouzia Zainal read out a statement prepared by her on behalf of MPs on the day at the beginning of the session.
Parliament introduced for the first time yesterday a new computerised commenting system that sees microphones immediately shut off whenever the slotted time is over for an MP.
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