MANAMA: The Cabinet yesterday praised His Majesty King Hamad’s address delivered at the 75th UN General Assembly session, which reaffirmed the importance of preserving world peace for a better future for all.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, chaired the weekly meeting, held remotely.
The King’s address further shed light on the kingdom’s comprehensive vision regarding regional and international issues that concern the Arab nations, particularly the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and Bahrain’s position for a just and comprehensive peace with the establishment of an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the Arab Peace Initiative.
The Cabinet then commended the turnout of volunteers for the Covid-19 clinical trials.
This reflects the awareness and humanitarian values shown by citizens and residents, it said.
Following the meeting, Cabinet secretary general Dr Yasser Al Nasser, made the following remarks:
Following the King’s directives to unify national efforts aimed at combating the repercussions of Covid-19 to preserve the health and safety of the kingdom’s citizens and residents whilst sustaining the national economy, the Cabinet decided on the following:
The government will continue to pay 50 per cent of the salaries of insured Bahraini citizens working in the most adversely affected enterprises within the private sector for three months, starting from October – a move that will benefit 23,000 Bahraini citizens and 4,000 establishments.
The Cabinet also approved a draft law adding a new clause regarding insurance against unemployment and recommending its promulgation in accordance with the Constitution.
l The payment of 50pc of the salaries of 524 uninsured employees in kindergartens and nurseries for three months starting from October.
l To extend the wage support provided by Tamkeen for an additional three months, starting from October, at the rate of BD150 per month to support 950 taxi drivers, public transport drivers, and 829 driving instructors.
l The exemption of tourist facilities from tourism fees for an additional three months, starting from October.
Based on a recommendation made by the Government Executive Committee, the Cabinet approved a draft law amending some provisions of the law on higher education.
The amendments aim to separate the supervisory and operational processes of the sector, by restructuring the Higher Education Council and granting it independence from the Education Ministry.
The draft law will transform the role of the council from an operator to a supervisory role, by expanding its duties over practical and academic aspects of the higher education sector.
Moreover, the council will be able to further develop educational policies and strategies to improve the performance of the sector and encourage investment.
Review
Based on a report ordered by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa by a committee established to review laws and regulations to ensure tight control over the dispensing of medicine within government and private pharmacies, the Crown Prince directed for a committee comprising ministers of the Finance and National Economy, the Shura Council and Parliament and Electricity and Water Affairs as well as representatives from the Office of the First Deputy Prime Minister, the Interior Ministry and the Supreme Council for Health, to supervise, undertake and implement technical, administrative and legislative recommendations from the report, and ensure that immediate measures are taken related to accountability, governance, all storage, distribution, sale and review requirements for medicines, especially narcotic drugs, and review the relevant laws and regulations in this regard.
The Cabinet approved the restructuring of the Interior Ministry to add the National Centre for Cybersecurity to its organisational structure. The department is to report directly to the minister.
The Cabinet approved the introduction of an electronic multi-entry tourist visa for US citizens that is valid for 10 years and costs the same price as the current five-year visa, and allows its holder to reside in the kingdom for 90 days provided that it is submitted electronically.
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