MPs are hoping a ‘system fault’ can be fixed quickly to ensure thousands of unemployed Bahrainis can meet their financial obligations as unemployment payments remained stalled.
A proposal to highlight their concerns has been scheduled as an ‘urgent topic’ for debate during today’s parliamentary session, where MPs are expected to press for a clear timeline for restoring services and for immediate contingency measures.
Many websites have suffered issues following an Iranian drone attack targeting a company facility last Tuesday. The payments are usually made on the 26th of the month.
“The ministry has publicly committed that beneficiaries will not be affected,” said MP Mohammed Al Olaiwi who is leading a five-strong group proposing action. “It must now adhere to that commitment in practice. Thousands of Bahrainis depend entirely on these payments to manage their daily lives. Any delay beyond the usual schedule has serious consequences.”
He stressed that the issue was not administrative but humanitarian, noting that large numbers of job-seekers, including recently unemployed citizens, have voiced concern.
According to labour regulations, first-time job-seekers, or those with less than 12 months of employment, are eligible for monthly allowances of BD150 for non-degree holders and BD200 for degree holders, for up to nine months.
Those who lose their jobs due to circumstances beyond their control are entitled to compensation equal to 60 per cent of their previous salary for up to nine months, capped at BD1,000 per month.
“These are not discretionary benefits; they are legal entitlements clearly defined by law,” Mr Al Olaiwi said. “Disruptions in the payment flow create financial distress for families who rely solely on this support.”
His comments follow a post published by the ministry on its official Instagram account five days ago, acknowledging a system malfunction was being addressed ‘in co-ordination with the concerned authorities’ and pledging that the rights of beneficiaries of unemployment aid and compensation would remain intact.
The GDN reported that several government websites have experienced a temporary downtime affecting their services and systems.
The Information and eGovernment Authority said teams were working on diligently to resolve the issue to restore all systems, services and applications.
Labour records show that around 17,000 Bahrainis are currently registered for unemployment allowances.
The five MPs are calling for an immediate mechanism to validate beneficiaries and transfer payments directly to their bank accounts while the technical issue is being resolved.
“We are not asking for complex solutions. We are asking for a temporary, practical mechanism to ensure payments reach people without delay,” he said.
He warned that continued disruption could lead to mounting financial obligations for beneficiaries, including rent, utilities and loan commitments, at a time when they have no other source of income.
“The priority must be the citizen. The ministry’s statement was reassuring, but what people need now is action,” Mr Al Olaiwi added.
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