Bahraini housewives aged 40 and above could be eligible for social welfare allowance, even when their spouses are financially capable.
A proposed amendment to the 2006 Social Welfare Law, presented by MP Jalal Kadhem Al Mahfoodh, was unanimously approved by MPs yesterday.
Mr Al Mahfoodh said housewives ‘with no fixed source of income or money to make a living’ should also benefit from the government’s welfare scheme.
Those currently covered include families, widows, divorcees, abandoned women, the elderly, relatives of prisoners, people with disabilities, those incapable of work, unmarried girls, young boys and orphans. The payments are made by the Social Development Ministry.
“We have brought to attention the livelihood of housewives, who unfortunately do not benefit from any government support because they don’t fall within any category or fit the conventional mould of those eligible to receive aid,” Mr Al Mahfoodh said yesterday.
“We have to take into account the hardships those women go through as their husbands are often burdened with financial commitments and obligations. Many housewives do not get any allowance despite spending time to take care of their children and family.”
Parliament backed Mr Al Mahfoodh’s suggestion and approved the proposal, which will now be drafted as a legislation and returned to the National Assembly for review within six months.
If approved by the Assembly, the bill would lead to a new category added to the list of social welfare beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, fines could be introduced to regulate the leasing of residential properties for non-family purposes under a proposal approved unanimously by MPs yesterday.
The amendment to the 2014 Rents Law, submitted by five MPs led by services committee vice-chairman Mohammed Al Olaiwi, aims to impose stricter controls on rental contracts to maintain the integrity of residential neighbourhoods and enhance urban planning.
Under the proposal, rental contracts for residential properties intended for non-family housing will require prior approval from the relevant municipal authority.
Violations will result in fines imposed on landlords with the amount to be determined by the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister.
Mr Al Olaiwi stressed the need to regulate non-family housing rentals to preserve community cohesion and prevent overcrowding in residential areas.
Legislators also unanimously approved amendments to the 2001 Commercial Companies Law.
It would give a shareholder, who owns 10 per cent or more of a company’s capital, the right to appoint board members proportional to their shareholding.
The proposal was presented by the Strategic Thinking Bloc, led by its president and Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee chairman Ahmed Al Salloom. It aims to strengthen shareholder rights and ensure greater representation for minority investors in corporate governance.
The amendment further states that shareholders who do not exercise their right to appoint board members, or who do not hold enough shares to appoint additional members, may use their shareholding percentage for voting. The right to appointment shall be forfeited if not exercised in any election or appointment process for board members.
The bill will be drafted as a proper legislation and returned to the National Assembly for review within six months.
Meanwhile, Works Minister Ibrahim Al Hawaj said that roadwork expansions from Al Muaskar Avenue to Riffa Avenue, up to the Riffa Clock Tower, were scheduled for 2026.
He also added that roadworks would be carried out in Capital Governorate constituency one this year and the next.
MP Mohammed Hussain Janahi claimed during the session that many contractors were leaving projects without completing them. He urged the minister to intensify monitoring of projects at all stages.
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