A proposal to ease financial pressures on Bahraini families enrolled in the Mazaya housing programme has been launched by the Strategic Thinking Bloc, which is urging that monthly instalments be calculated solely on basic salary and social allowance – excluding all other benefits.
The motion, led by bloc spokesman MP Khalid Bu Onk, was planned for debate yesterday but was postponed after Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam opted to end the parliamentary session following eight hours of discussions.
Mr Bu Onk said the current mechanism, which calculates instalments based on total salary, including allowances, is placing an excessive burden on many families. He warned that deductions ‘often exceed what families can realistically manage based on their basic income’.
He added that the goal is to establish ‘a fair and practical calculation method that considers only fixed and stable income, enabling families to meet their housing payments without compromising their essential living needs’.
The proposal argues that basing instalments on basic salary plus social allowance would enhance financial and social stability, reduce default rates and ensure the long-term sustainability of the Mazaya programme.
Three other proposals were also postponed yesterday. They are:
1. Strictly enforcing existing laws regulating the pharmacy profession, including restricting ownership of public pharmacies to Bahraini citizens, enhancing professional oversight, and increasing Bahrainisation in the sector.
The proposal by five MPs, led by Mr Bu Onk, seeks to ensure pharmacies are licensed, properly managed by qualified pharmacists and regularly monitored.
Mr Bu Onk said the move will protect public health, prevent irregular practices, support Bahraini investors, and create quality job opportunities for citizens.
2. Establishing a unified and clear mechanism for unused government-owned corner plots and spaces adjacent to houses across Bahrain.
The proposal by five MPs, led by Dr Muneer Suroor, seeks to address long-standing requests from citizens wishing to annex adjacent underutilised spaces to ease overcrowding and improve living conditions, without harming public facilities or urban planning.
“Many families have waited years for fair consideration of these humanitarian requests,” Dr Suroor said. “We want transparent standards that consider real housing needs, ensure public safety and achieve equal opportunities for all citizens.”
3. Launching effective measures to protect citizens from fraudulent investment schemes and money-raising activities.
The initiative by five MPs, led by Bader Al Tamimi, aims to safeguard people’s savings and preserve the stability of the national economy.
“Recent years have seen a surge in schemes targeting small and medium investors without providing real guarantees,” Mr Al Tamimi said. “These practices not only jeopardise citizens’ finances but also undermine public trust and harm the broader economy.”
The proposal stresses the need for preventative measures, including stricter oversight by licensed entities, enhanced public awareness campaigns, and enforcement against unlicensed or illegal operators.
“We must ensure that all investment activities comply with financial regulations and that offenders are held accountable,” Mr Al Tamimi added.
The initiative seeks to enforce financial transparency, deter exploitation, and curb informal economic activities while promoting responsible investment practices.
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