A new legislative proposal has been submitted that seeks to grant 60 per cent ‘wage compensation’ to self-employed workers and freelancers under a voluntary insurance scheme to cover ‘temporary conditions’ that keep them from the workplace.
The draft law, presented by MP Jalal Kadhem Al Mahfoodh, aims to offer financial support for independent workers who suffer from short-term health issues that prevent them from fulfilling their duties.
Under the scheme, individuals enrolled in the voluntary social insurance policy, would be entitled to a temporary compensation amounting to 60pc of their registered monthly wage, with a ceiling of BD1,000.
This financial support would be disbursed from the Unemployment Insurance Fund during the worker’s period of incapacity, and would continue until they had recovered, based on official medical reports.
Mr Al Mahfoodh stressed the urgent need to extend support mechanisms to a wide category of Bahrainis who work in freelance or self-employed capacities and rely solely on their physical efforts for income.
These include taxi drivers, driving instructors, customs freight drivers, tourist bus drivers, boat captains, professional fishermen, and owners of small and medium-sized commercial enterprises, he added.
“These individuals do not enjoy the kind of safety net that salaried employees in the public or private sector benefit from,” Mr Al Mahfoodh explained. “Their income is directly tied to their physical ability to work each day. So, when they face a temporary illness or injury, their only source of income disappears – often overnight.
“Our goal is to ensure that these hardworking Bahrainis are not left vulnerable and unsupported when they are temporarily unable to perform their duties. This proposal aims to secure their livelihoods during such critical times.”
Mr Al Mahfoodh framed the initiative not only as an economic support measure, but also as a matter of ‘social justice and human dignity’.
He noted that the absence of a stable income during periods of medical incapacity can lead to severe financial hardship, affecting not just the workers themselves, but their families as well.
“When a sole breadwinner becomes ill and can’t work, it doesn’t just affect that individual – it disrupts the financial and emotional stability of an entire household,” he said.
“Families have essential needs and financial obligations that do not pause simply because the income stops. This temporary compensation would help bridge that gap.
“We believe that providing a fair, needs-based temporary compensation to self-employed citizens is both a moral and practical responsibility. It ensures that these individuals and their families can maintain a decent standard of living while they recover and prepare to return to their professional lives.”
Mr Al Mahfoodh said the proposed compensation is not open-ended. According to the draft law, payment would be strictly tied to the confirmation of a temporary disability, as verified by accredited medical committees.
“Once the individual has recovered and is cleared to return to work, the payments would cease,” he clarified. “This system is designed to be both fair and accountable.
“It is not an ‘open cheque’. The compensation will be strictly based on reliable medical evidence and will only be provided for the duration of the actual disability. This ensures that the fund is used responsibly and supports only those who are genuinely in need.”
Mr Al Mahfoodh called on his fellow legislators to recognise the value and timeliness of this proposal.
He urged Parliament to act swiftly to adopt the measure and incorporate it into Bahrain’s broader social insurance and labour protection framework.
“Freelancers and small business owners are the backbone of our economy. They deserve to be protected in times of vulnerability just like any other worker,” he stressed.
“This is about building a more inclusive, compassionate and resilient society – one where no one is left behind simply because they don’t have a traditional employment contract.”
Mr Al Mahfoodh said the legislation reflects a growing awareness in Bahrain’s legislative sphere of the unique challenges faced by the self-employed and freelancers.
“By proposing a structured and accountable compensation system for temporary disability, the legislation promises to deliver not just economic relief, but a reaffirmation of dignity and social equity for thousands of Bahrainis working independently across vital sectors,” he said.
“If passed, the law could represent a significant milestone in expanding Bahrain’s social safety net and adapting it to a changing labour landscape where more individuals are choosing – or being driven – to work outside traditional employment frameworks.”
The law has been referred by Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam to the services committee for review.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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