NEW laws to govern and regulate the food delivery services sector in Bahrain will have to come from the National Assembly, according to a top minister.
However, Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro pointed out that companies working in the sector currently have to get permissions from multiple government bodies on a regular basis to ensure they are operating legally.
He added that the food delivery services are being adequately covered by strict commerce, municipality and security rules and regulations to ensure they are properly authorised and licensed to carry out their operations.
Mr Fakhro was responding, in writing, to a question by Shura Council member Dr Bassam Albinmohammed on the licensing of food delivery service companies.
“There are no virtual companies and those providing the service are required to have an actual municipal address for their administrative and support operations,” he said.
“All the vehicles used to provide the service have to follow specific regulations by the General Directorate of Traffic.
“We can update the requirements and rules for issuing licences for food delivery services. In fact, we welcome input from all those concerned to help us further organise the sector.
“There are ready plans that could be introduced electronically whenever commercial registrations are filled in the system, but it will require legislative intervention for us to implement.”
The GDN reported last year that people have been warned of a new delivery driver scam, with municipal councillors calling on riders to wear their ID badges while on duty.
This follows reports of a spate of thefts involving unidentified persons wearing uniforms, riding motorbikes and claiming to be delivery riders.
Councillors alleged that several drivers have been seen gathering in residential areas, spreading fear in the community.
They urged the government to order all drivers to wear identity badges, which can also help identify drivers during hit-and-run accidents.
There has been an exponential growth in home deliveries in the past couple of years, with shops and supermarkets joining restaurants and cafés in delivering anything from food to groceries, clothes, books, toys and even flowers.
The Southern Municipal Council earlier proposed a blanket ban on the use of motorbikes and old cars for home deliveries.
The GDN reported in 2021 that delivery riders could be banned from a number of roads and only allowed to offer their services between specific timings each day.
Former councillors called for signboards to be erected on ‘inner roads’ banning entry to delivery bikers.
Bahrain’s municipal councils and the Capital Trustees Board would identify the no-entry zones after discussions with residents and relevant authorities.
In May 2019, the GDN reported that a proposal to ban delivery motorbikes from Bahrain’s major highways had been approved by the Northern Municipal Council.
At the time, the Traffic Directorate had, however, replied that it was more a case of improper conduct of some riders being addressed, rather than introducing an arbitrary ban on highways.
The time-saving tricks motorcyclists use to get their hot plates to their destinations have long been a bane of the authorities with enraged legislators and councillors demanding tougher penalties, including jail time, to deter them.
Traffic authorities have installed speed cameras on major highways and increased fines for violators.
In January 2021, the Traffic Directorate revealed that 3,885 violations were issued to delivery service riders and 364 motorcycles were impounded.
Violations included jumping red traffic lights, exceeding speed limits, driving on pavements, overtaking and using mobile phones while riding.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed revealed that there were 30-35 vacancies at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) for 2023-2024.
She was replying, in writing, to a question on training plans and vacancies at SMC by services committee vice-chairwoman Dr Ibtisam Al Dallal.
“We set a two-year plan for training, but it is changeable depending on resignations, retirements and Bahrainisation plans,” said the minister.
“As of now we have 30 to 35 vacancies that we are looking to fill through training this year and the next.
“There are 10 to 15 midwifery training vacancies for nurses every year.
“The ministry spent BD655,424 in 2021 and BD1.7 million last year on training, while BD2.2m was spent by Tamkeen on resident medics working with us through its programmes last year.”
Shura Council members will be notified of the replies during the upper chamber’s weekly session on Sunday.
The house will also vote on having the Unemployment Fund scrutinised by Parliament and Shura Council under new proposed financial governance measures.
The proposed amendment to the 2006 Insurance Against Unemployment Law approved by MPs last month would see the annual closing financial statements considered valid only if it is voted on and approved by both National Assembly chambers. Rejection by both chambers would mean an automatic vote of no-confidence against responsible officials.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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