An amendment to Bahrain’s social security law proposing a guaranteed 10 per cent compound increase in assistance every three years is set for debate and a parliamentary vote ... despite government warnings that it could strain public finances.
The proposal amends Law No 18 of 2006 on Social Security, but arrives in Parliament in a much slimmer form than originally drafted after committees removed provisions they said conflicted with existing family and financial laws.
At the heart of the debate is Article 9, which currently sets the minimum monthly assistance at BD77 for an individual, BD132 for a family of two, and BD28 for each additional member.
MPs now want this automatically increased by no less than 10pc every three years on a compound basis.
Parliament’s services committee vice-chairman Abdulwahid Qarata said the amendment is about protecting vulnerable Bahrainis from rising living costs.
“Prices change, living costs change, but assistance figures have remained static for years,” he said.
“This amendment ensures social support keeps pace with reality and preserves the dignity of beneficiaries.”
The government, however, warned that committing to automatic increases without a defined ceiling or prior financial study could place unplanned burdens on the Treasury and affect the Fiscal Balance Programme.
Social Development Minister Osama Al Alawi revealed that as of May 2025, there were 17,752 social security beneficiaries across categories including widows, divorced women, elderly citizens, people with disabilities and families without breadwinners.
He stressed that estimating the cost of periodic increases requires a ‘comprehensive technical and financial study’ in co-ordination with relevant authorities.
“Strengthening social protection must go hand in hand with ensuring the sustainability of financial resources,” the minister noted.
The proposal has been endorsed by parliamentary committees and now heads for a final vote.
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