Parliament has unanimously approved an urgent government request to allow more than 105,500 Bahraini private-sector workers to receive their April salaries directly from the Unemployment Fund, in what MPs described as a pre-emptive shield against potential layoffs amid regional economic turbulence.
The move clears the way for debate tomorrow on an exceptional amendment to Decree-Law No 78 of 2006 on Unemployment Insurance, enabling the fund to be used for one month only – April 2026 – to cover wages up to the insured salary ceiling.
The initiative is expected to cost up to BD100 million from the fund’s assets, which stand at around BD600 million, according to figures presented to MPs.
Government representatives told the chamber the proposal is not a reaction to layoffs but a preventive measure designed to help companies’ weather current uncertainty without resorting to job cuts.
“This is about protecting jobs before problems occur,” Parliament financial and economic affairs committee chairman MP Ahmed Al Salloom pointed out.
Under the draft amendment, eligible Bahraini employees in the private sector will receive their April pay directly through the Unemployment Insurance system, easing immediate payroll pressure on businesses affected by the regional situation.
MPs across blocs supported the measure, describing it as a necessary step to protect national employment stability and ensure that Bahrainis do not become unintended casualties of circumstances beyond the country’s control.
They stressed that the Unemployment Fund was originally created as a social safety net for precisely such extraordinary situations.
Proposed amendments to Parliament’s internal regulations could significantly ease the process for MPs seeking to question ministers and advance their cases were also unanimously approved by MPs yesterday.
The draft law amends key provisions of Parliament’s Bylaws issued under Decree-Law No 54 of 2002 and has received full government backing after being referred by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
At the heart of the amendments are two changes that could dramatically alter how interpellations – the most powerful questioning tool available to MPs – are handled inside the chamber.
Under the current rules, an interpellation can stall at committee level if it fails to secure a high approval threshold from MPs when the committee’s report is presented to the chamber.
The proposed change lowers this bar. The committee’s report on the seriousness of the interpellation will now be put to a vote without debate at the first session following its preparation, and the interpellation will proceed if it secures a simple majority of Parliament members – 21 MPs rather than two thirds – 27 MPs.
Parliament’s legal advisors commission head Dr Saleh Al Ghateeth explained that the previous requirement – effectively demanding a higher quorum – created procedural obstacles that could prevent interpellations from progressing, even before the substance of the questioning was heard.
Also, Bahrain is set to deepen its international economic integration as MPs unanimously approved two government-drafted laws – accession to the Locarno Agreement and ratification of amendments to the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) agreement that will transform it into the Arab Energy Organisation.
Mr Al Salloom said the two moves reflect Bahrain’s strategy of aligning its laws with evolving global standards in innovation and energy.
Present to elaborate on the importance of the legislations were Oil and Environment Minister and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs Dr Mohammed Bin Daina and Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla Fakhro.
All four legislations were referred with urgency to the Shura Council for review.
Meanwhile, three legislations all touching the 2006 Social Security (Welfare) Law were halted for a month on the request of Social Development Minister Osama Al Alawi to allow further review.
They are defining the basic living requirements for Bahraini families, a guaranteed 10 per cent compound of assistance every three years, and giving Bahraini housewives aged 40 and above monthly social assistance.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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