TRADERS who fail to remove or rectify violations within a set deadline could face tough action, including fines of up to BD20,000.
Their commercial registrations (CRs) could also be suspended for up to six months, if MPs have their way.
Legislators are set to debate amendments to the 2015 Commercial Registrations Law despite the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry asking for a rethink.
“We already have administrative punishments to tackle rogue traders and the penalty suggested by MPs deny us flexibility as they involve court verdicts,” said minister Zayed Alzayani.
“The ministry doesn’t resort to immediate action and gives time for businesses to remove or correct violations. The number of cancelled CRs is 0.095pc of more than 80,000 registered in our system.
“Since August 2019, we have only closed 149 businesses administratively, which reveals that violators are implementing our orders immediately.”
The Bahrain Chamber however backed the proposal and said there was no need to show leniency towards rogue traders.
Meanwhile, MPs will also debate and vote on amendments to the 2014 Traffic Law that will impose fines of between BD400 and BD500 for occupying parking spaces allocated for people with disabilities.
The foreign affairs, defence and national security committee has recommended rejecting the move following feedback from the Interior Ministry, which backed the idea but not the penalty described it as unreasonably high.
MPs will also continue debate on amendments to the 2002 Fishing Organisation, Catching and Protection Law that would see permits reissued to convicted fishermen after they are out of jail, rather than wait for a year to get their criminal records wiped out.
Parliament will also debate a proposal for a 25pc cap on monthly deductions from wages of employees who borrow from their future pensions. They will also vote on amendments to the 1976 BDF and Public Security Wages and Pensions Law. It aims to bring all pension-related laws on similar lines to what was approved last month.
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