A CONTROVERSIAL legislation that would see the introduction of 20 per cent tax on imported products that compete with local handicrafts is set for debate during the Shura Council’s weekly session on Sunday.
The National Traditional Handicrafts Protection Law, which was rejected by Parliament last month, was suggested by former MPs to safeguard and revive Bahrain’s dying professions.
Local craftsmen have been urging legislators to push ahead with the law to rescue traditional professions from financial troubles.
However, Parliament’s services committee asserted that Bahrain’s traditional handicrafts were already being considered marketable by the government.
The Shura services committee has also recommended rejecting the bill for the same reason.
“We have the National Committee for Handicrafts in Bahrain since 1985, and so there is no need for the law,” the Cabinet said in writing.
The Labour and Social Development Ministry also pointed out that since 1978 it has been helping productive families.
The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) added that a special directorate for local handicrafts has already been set up under its administrative structure and it was working to promote products in an innovative way.
“All our traditional products are unique. They match modern taste and standards and have the ‘Made in Bahrain’ tag,” it said.
The Shura Council will also debate proposed amendments to have Bahrain’s Unemployment Fund scrutinised by Parliament and the Shura Council.
The proposed amendment to the 2006 Insurance Against Unemployment Law has been presented by five Shura Council members – led by human rights committee vice-chairman Darwish Al Mannai – who believe that the fund’s administrative and financial affairs are a matter of public interest.
Proposal
Under the proposal, the annual closing financial statements would be considered valid only if it is voted on and approved by the National Assembly.
Rejection by both chambers would mean an automatic vote of no-confidence against responsible officials.
The Social Insurance Organisation (SIO) said that the fund was being monitored by the Finance and National Economy Minister and the National Audit Office (NAO).
“Findings are published regularly and nothing has ever been hidden from the public.
“The fund is being handled with utmost transparency.”
The Shura financial and economic affairs committee has given the go-ahead for the proposal despite the government calling for a rethink.
The fund has already seen BD230 million used for the Early Voluntary Retirement Scheme in 2019. Last year, to mitigate the economic impact of Covid-19, BD215m was taken out to cover wages in the private sector from April to June, and BD140m for salaries from July to December.
The fund has also covered wages from June to August this year following a spike in the number of coronavirus cases.
The fund currently has around BD500m.
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