A proposed amendment to Bahrain’s Civil Service Law, which seeks to reduce working hours and increase annual leave for employees aged 50 and above, is set to be debated at the Upper House ... despite concerns raised by a key panel.
The legislative and legal affairs committee has recommended rejection citing constitutional, financial and administrative concerns.
The panel, chaired by Dalal Al Zayed, concluded that the draft law would undermine equality among public sector employees, disrupt government services and place additional strain on the state budget, while conflicting with the legislative philosophy underpinning the civil service system.
Under the bill, initially submitted by MPs, employees who reach 50 would work one hour less per day, rising to a two-hour reduction at 55 and three hours at 60. At the same time, annual leave entitlements would increase from the current 30 working days to 35 days at age 50, 40 days at 55 and 45 days at 60.
The amendments would replace Articles 19 and 20 of the 2010 Civil Service Law.
Ms Al Zayed said the proposal conflicted with constitutional principles governing public employment.
“Public office is a national service governed by uniform legal standards,” Ms Al Zayed said.
“Any legislative intervention that fragments working hours and leave entitlements based solely on age, despite identical job responsibilities, violates the principle of equality before the law.”
The committee stressed that Bahrain’s Constitution views public employment as a service to the nation, requiring discipline, integrity and equal obligations. It argued that working time is not a personal entitlement but a public trust linked directly to the efficient operation of state institutions.
The report highlighted that civil service legislation is built on the job grade, not age, as the defining legal status for determining rights and duties. Introducing age as a differentiating factor, it said, would create unjustified discrimination between employees holding the same positions.
“The law cannot treat employees differently when their legal positions are identical,” Ms Al Zayed noted. “Differentiation must be objectively justified and directly linked to job requirements, not biological age.”
The committee also warned that legislating work schedules and leave provisions contradicts the established legislative approach, which leaves such matters to executive regulations that can be adjusted flexibly in line with operational needs.
Financial implications also featured prominently in the committee’s objections.
The report cautioned that reduced working hours and extended leave would require additional staffing or overtime expenditure to maintain service levels, directly affecting the state’s wage bill and conflicting with the Fiscal Balance Programme.
Moreover, the committee said the proposal would disrupt the regular operation of public facilities, particularly given that many senior and supervisory roles are held by employees within the targeted age bracket.
“Removing experienced leaders and technical specialists from core working hours would inevitably delay decision-making and weaken service delivery,” Ms Al Zayed said.
The committee also noted inconsistencies with Bahrain’s broader legal framework, highlighting that national legislation defines ‘senior citizens’ as individuals aged 60 and above. It found that extending special treatment to employees starting at age 50 was legally unjustified and incompatible with international standards. The report also warned of negative workplace effects, including declining morale among younger employees and the risk of unintentionally signalling reduced competence among older staff.
In addition, the committee observed that no economic or social impact study had been conducted to assess the proposal’s cost, feasibility or public acceptance.
Comparative analysis showed that civil service systems across the GCC and neighbouring Arab states do not use age as a criterion for determining working hours, instead relying on job nature and grade.
Based on these findings, the committee unanimously recommended rejecting the draft law in principle, concluding that it would harm administrative efficiency, legal coherence and fiscal sustainability.
The proposal is, however, set for debate and a vote during the Shura Council session on Sunday. The committee’s recommendation could be overturned if the house votes in favour of the parliamentary-proposed legislation.
The Civil Service Commission said the bill, if approved, would benefit 6,575 government employees, which is 16 per cent of the total workforce in the public sector. Fifty-seven per cent of the employees aged over 50 are in education and training, 26pc in services and 17pc in health sector.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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