Legislators are advocating for shorter working hours and extended annual leave for government employees aged 50 and above. Proposed amendments to Bahrain’s 2010 Civil Service Law will be debated during Parliament’s weekly session on Tuesday.
MPs believe the move would encourage senior employees to remain in the workforce while also reducing early retirement rates.
Under the amendments, force-drafted by the government following a parliamentary proposal, daily working hours would be reduced progressively based on age.
Employees who reach 50 would work one hour less per day, rising to a two-hour reduction at 55 and three hours at 60.
At the same time, annual leave entitlements would increase from the current 30 working days to 35 days at age 50, 40 days at 55 and 45 days at 60.
Legislative and legal affairs committee chairman MP Mahmood Fardan said the proposal reflects a broader social and economic vision.
“These amendments are about valuing experience, protecting employees’ wellbeing and ensuring that senior staff can continue contributing effectively without compromising their health or productivity,” he said.
The committee has recommended approval of the bill in principle, while introducing technical amendments to clarify eligibility by replacing the phrase ‘over the age of’ with ‘upon reaching the age of’ across the relevant articles, ensuring legal precision and preventing ambiguity in application.
The government, supported by the Civil Service Commission, has warned that the amendments could disrupt public service delivery, widen the gap between public and private sector working hours, complicate workforce supervision and increase pressure on the state budget and the fiscal balance programme.
Mr Fardan said the committee carefully weighed government concerns, but concluded that the proposal deserved a parliamentary debate.
“While the government raised fiscal and operational reservations, the committee believes these can be addressed through implementation mechanisms rather than rejecting the principle outright,” he said.
“Ageing-related workplace considerations are increasingly recognised internationally,” he added. “The final decision rests with the chamber. But this debate is an important step towards a more humane and forward-looking civil service framework.”
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