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Parliament has unanimously approved an urgent proposal to exclude allowances and bonuses from the calculation of monthly instalments for beneficiaries of the government’s Mazaya housing programme, referring the matter to the Cabinet for review.
The proposal was submitted by five MPs, led by Strategic Thinking Bloc spokesman Khalid Bu Onk, who attended the session but later left due to illness.
Under the current mechanism, monthly instalments are calculated based on a beneficiary’s total salary, including allowances and bonuses.
The MPs argue that this approach places an excessive financial burden on families, as variable income components are treated as fixed earnings.
Speaking on behalf of the signatories, Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee vice-chairwoman Zainab Abdulamir said the proposal was grounded in social justice and financial sustainability.
“Calculating the instalment based on the total salary, including allowances and bonuses, often results in a significant deduction from the basic salary itself,” she told MPs. “This places beneficiaries under real financial strain and affects their ability to meet other essential living obligations.”
The proposal calls for instalments to be calculated solely on the basic salary plus social allowance, which are considered stable and predictable sources of income.
“This is about fairness,” Ms Abdulamir said.
“We are not asking to reduce commitments irresponsibly, but to align repayments with the beneficiary’s fixed and secure income. That ensures stability for families and sustainability for the programme.”
Ms Abdulamir stressed that the proposed adjustment would benefit both citizens and financing entities.
“Ensuring that instalments are calculated on a realistic and stable income base reduces the likelihood of payment difficulties,” she said. “It protects families from hardship while also safeguarding the continuity of repayments.”
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