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A CABINET minister hit back at MPs who ridiculed his response on the line of basic life needs calculated at BD336.
Parts of the response were leaked to the Press earlier this month sparking public anger and calling it the “joke poverty line”.
Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel Humaidan told MPs during their weekly session yesterday that the line was drawn up based on 17,209 Bahraini families and individuals listed for social welfare that costs BD19 million, which is four per cent of the total social aid given.
He added that the government was spending BD445m annually on social aid that also includes anti-inflation, meat, disability, pensioners, housing, fire and additional Ramadan payouts.
“My response was turned around, as I never said BD336 was enough, or else why is the government allocating hundreds of millions of dinars per year to support Bahrainis?” he said.
“The line of basic life needs only covers 17,000 families and individuals, accounting for four per cent of the total spending at BD19m, but the government is giving much more in other payouts.
“There was a study by the World Bank in 2011 to include all family members’ income including working wives to determine things properly and scientifically and former MPs in 2011 rejected it as many were set to miss out on payouts and we accepted.”
Mr Humaidan added that the government was working on other initiatives to make monthly average pay in the private sector BD756 with an annual pay increase of 4.3pc.
“Pay rises for those earning less than BD1,000 are being supported by us and Tamkeen financially, with us shouldering it 100pc. Pay rises for those earning between BD1,000 and BD2,000 are shouldered by us 50pc, while low pay sees us pay two-thirds to make it higher into an acceptable level.”
In another response, the minister said 24,718 Bahrainis were employed through the ministry’s schemes last year.
“Out of them, 9,449 alone found jobs through the National Employment Programme launched in February.
“A total of 2,992 Bahrainis have found jobs and signed contracts at six jobs fairs held last year.
“We have provided training for 6,569 Bahrainis through Tamkeen last year.
“An electronic employment platform is on the way for job-seekers which will include all available vacancies, appointments and employment procedures without the need of visiting the ministry.”
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