A MOVE to reinstate lifetime pension benefits for elected and appointed public representatives has been shot down by the Shura Council.
During the upper chamber’s weekly session yesterday, the members unanimously rejected a bid to reinstate the 2009 MPs, municipal councillors, Shura Council and Capital Trustees Board members’ Pay and Pension Law, presented by former MPs.
Under the proposed legislation, MPs are also seeking annual increases to the pensions of elected and appointed public representatives similar to others in the private, government and military sectors.
Since the Shura Council’s schedule was published in the local Press and social media on Friday, people have been hurling insults and using offensive language against the chamber and its members in the belief that they were planning to give themselves more privileges.
A bill that overhauled pension packages, with trimmed benefits for elected and appointed officials, was approved in October 2018 by both Parliament and the Shura Council.
Before that, representatives qualified for a lifetime pension equivalent to 50 per cent of their monthly wage after serving a four-year term, 80pc after serving two terms and 90pc for three or more terms – in addition to a regular state pension.
Now they qualify for a one-month bonus for each year in service during the four-year term.
The 2018 rules for public office positions do not apply to those who held such roles before the measure was adopted – meaning only those coming to office from 2018 onwards were affected.
As a result, long-serving representatives elected before and after the rule fall within both categories as they get ongoing pensions, in addition to bonuses.
“When we approved the abolition of the unjust and unfair law granting public representatives, including us, unrealistic benefits in 2018 – the intent was not to have debate reopened once again on it,” said Shura Council Chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh.
“We were happy that the former law got cancelled as we have to consider that we are here to serve righteousness in the name of greater good and not our personal interests,” he added.
“Those elected for one term or two shouldn’t be getting benefits equivalent to those working 40 years in the government and private sectors.”
Member Dr Ahmed Al Arrayedh asked Social Insurance Organisation (SIO) chief executive Eman Al Murbati if there were public representatives on both the old and new system.
However, he was cut short by Mr Al Saleh, who has been serving as chairman since 2006, with him also holding ministerial posts before.
“The abolished law is not effective backdated so there are members on both pension and bonus systems,” said Mr Al Saleh.
“Constitutional rights in the country disallow any cut in existing general benefits, wages or pay and any new move to provide less is only applied on the following.”
Ms Al Murbati said members should stay away from a debate on any issues that focus on increased pension benefits, knowing that pension funds need stabilisation.
An ‘end-of-service’ bonus for former public representatives was transferred to bank accounts in August last year.
The monthly wages adding up to BD4,250 for regular MPs and Shura Council members include BD2,000 basic salary, BD1,200 representational allowance, BD300 social allowance and BD750 for car instalment.
The first and second vice-chairmen in each chamber receive BD500 more, while Parliament Speaker and the Shura Council Chairman receive BD1,000 extra.
The bonus includes all allowances except for the car instalment.
It means that MPs and Shura Council members each received BD14,000 (BD3,500 per month). First and second vice-chairmen received BD16,000 (BD4,000 per month), and BD18,000 (BD4,500 per month) for both Parliament Speaker and the Shura Council Chairman.
Municipal councillors and Capital Trustees Board members receive BD1,500 monthly without any allowances. Vice-chairmen receive BD1,800 without any allowances. Chairmen receive BD2,000 with a BD300 car allowance.
It meant that normal members received BD6,000 as a bonus, vice-chairmen BD7,200 and chairmen BD8,000, excluding the car allowance.
The pay-outs cost the government around BD1.130 million.
Under a decree issued by His Majesty King Hamad last year, public representatives who lose their seats are allowed back to their original workplaces in the same positions or higher.
Meanwhile, Mr Al Saleh congratulated the leadership, nation and Muslims across the world on Eid Al Fitr.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))