A MOVE to allow widowed men to receive the pensions of their deceased wives is set to be rejected by the Shura Council in its weekly session on Sunday.
The move, although approved twice by MPs, would require changes to three bills.
Currently, only disabled men can collect their late wives’ pensions alongside women who are allowed to pick up the pensions of their deceased husbands unconditionally.
MPs in March last year approved the move, despite the government and the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO) warning it would place an additional burden on the pension system.
Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain said at the time a pension was not the same as an inheritance – and warned the decision could deprive other dependents who would otherwise benefit from the deceased’s pension.
He also said Bahrain’s existing policy was in line with the UAE, Kuwait and Oman.
Legislation
Meanwhile, the Shura Council is also set to vote on new legislation that would make it compulsory on the government to have adequate clearly-labelled food reserves.
Last month the move was referred to the public utilities and environment affairs committee to review urgently, as reported in the GDN.
The financial and economic affairs committee has already backed the move.
Under the legislation, there would also have to be a clear indication of the minimum amount required in percentage terms of safety stock.
The amendment to the 2015 Consumer Protection Law has been presented by five council members, spearheaded by services committee chairwoman Dr Jihad Al Fadhel.
The ministry has asked members for a rethink saying that it should come through a separate law, while the GCC is working on a unified legislation that would replace existing sets within member states.
“The existing and new rules have no mention of stocking and should members want to go ahead then it should come through a separate law,” said the ministry.
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