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A proposal calling for Bahraini women married to foreigners, and foreign mothers who are guardians of Bahraini children, to be included in the municipal fee subsidy programme was unanimously approved by MPs yesterday.
The initiative by five MPs, led by public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Mohammed Al Bulooshi, has been referred to the Cabinet for review.
Under the existing decision, municipal fee reductions are granted for one residence only and according to specific regulatory controls. The proposal calls for expanding eligibility while maintaining safeguards to prevent misuse.
“Bahraini women married to foreigners are citizens with rights and obligations,” Mr Al Bulooshi said during the session.
“In many cases, there are Bahraini children within these families, yet the current framework does not allow them to benefit from municipal fee reductions.”
He added that foreign women who are guardians of Bahraini children should also be considered, as the essence of government support is to protect Bahraini citizens and ensure their financial stability.
“The electricity subsidy programme already takes into account the presence of Bahraini family members and applies a social and humanitarian approach,” Mr Al Bulooshi noted.
“It is only logical and fair that municipal fee subsidies follow the same principle.
“This is not about broadening subsidies without limits. It is about achieving consistency in government support policies and ensuring that Bahraini children are not indirectly disadvantaged because of their family circumstances.”
Mr Bulooshi highlighted that municipal fees are directly linked to housing – a fundamental pillar of family stability.
“When we talk about municipal services, we are talking about basic services that affect the daily life of families,” he said. “Supporting these families enhances social cohesion and reinforces the state’s commitment to justice and equality.”
MPs across the chamber backed the initiative, describing it as a step toward greater social fairness and alignment between different subsidy programmes.
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