In the early 2000s, the spectre of being denied an exit out of Bahrain when going on holiday was very real. Why? Just because the system showed a paltry BD20 or BD50 in unpaid telephone bills against your name. OK, there were some cases where large sums were owed to banks and credit card companies, some running into thousands and, in these cases, it was not always about the debtors being blindsided by bad luck overnight but a gradual build-up of the debt through fiscal mismanagement. And, regardless of what we feel about cruel and heartless corporate entities, the fact is, if we let this go unchecked, it will have a terrible negative effect on the economy at a granular level. So, expecting a person to pay up or make credible arrangements to pay over a period of time was a valid response.
Of course the system had flaws – one could have had a digital payment channel to transfer the payment when at the airport; the traveller could have been given the benefit of doubt because the system flagged the wrong person sometimes, resulting in cancelled travel for no reason. But – and I say this, expecting many readers to protest or vigorously agree, depending on their nationality – the system chugged along until it was noticed that just as many Caucasians as Asians were being flagged down. Then there was a collective expression of horror and much debate about human rights violation and a concerted campaign to stop this harassment of travellers over leaving a trail of debt behind and facing the official assumption that they were running away. The result was, the practice was scrapped.
Now it seems it will once again surface and this time, it’s not the telecom companies that are making a fuss but municipality and the utilities authority. Not surprising, considering that expats are suddenly having to pay unsubsidised utility bills that often tip into three figures these days. Again, despite the human rights ramifications, I would say, it is essential to have a system in place that would make sure such bills are paid. We could implement a tiered or three-strikes system maybe where unpaid dues are flagged up to three times and then action is taken. As the new system is looking to issue clearance certificates which will be needed when tickets are purchased, it may save embarrassment at the departure gate.
All this is well and good but how about insisting that companies also follow the rule and pay employees on time? And how about banning the right of sponsor companies to cancel residence permits when the employee is away travelling outside Bahrain? Salary non-payment, besides resulting in debt and a spiral of unpaid bills can also be traumatising. Similarly, when your right to stay and complete your employment closure in a planned and dignified manner is disrupted by an unauthorised dismissal when you are away, it leaves so many loose ends and affects the education of the children too, if any.
Tackle unpaid debts by all means. But at the same time, do the back-end clean-up too. After all, if people don’t get their salaries, how will they pay for the utilities and municipality?
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