BAHRAINIS have voiced their anger over the Shura Council’s move to reject a proposal allowing widowers to receive their deceased wife’s pension.
The move was rejected a second time by the Shura Council despite being approved by MPs twice, so it has now been moved alongside other issues of conflict between both chambers for a joint National Assembly session.
Many took to social media to express their frustration following a statement by Shura Council service committee chairwoman Dr Jihad Al Fadhel which described pensions as ‘public money and not inheritance’.
“Pensions are being deducted from our monthly wages so how do they turn into public money after our death?” questioned one Bahraini woman on the condition of anonymity.
“My husband and children are entitled to my pension because it’s a result of years of my hard work. It’s not public money in my opinion, it came out of my salary!”
Her sentiments were echoed by many Bahrainis who took to social media to express their disbelief and anger over the decision.
Many suggested they were being penalised as a result of national financial woes. “We spend years working hard to get our pensions to live a dignified life once we retire and rejecting this proposal seems unfair,” said another Bahraini woman.
“We are not pieces on a chessboard for legislators to move as they see fit. We have rights that they were elected and appointed to protect.
“Surely if a wife dies her husband is entitled to her pension to ensure that he can provide the same lifestyle for their children. Instead of a blanket ban the matter should be looked at on a case-by-case basis.”
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 during Sunday’s session that a pension was not the same as an inheritance and warned the decision would deprive other dependents that would otherwise benefit from the deceased’s pension.
The GDN reported yesterday that the suspension of the three per cent annual increase in pensions will apply to all Bahraini pensioners, including retirees earning a high pension.
The move is part of four urgent reforms aiming to extend the life span of funds under the SIO.
A decree law had already been issued to ensure the funds are capable of fulfilling their financial obligations towards citizens.
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