Government calls for review of bill aiming to boost scientific studies

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

The government has urged the Council of Representatives to reconsider a draft law designed to encourage scientific research, recognise the contributions of national workforce in the public sector, and enhance government performance.

The proposed legislation aims to incentivise government employees with higher qualifications, improve the quality of public service, and provide opportunities for ambitious talents.

It also seeks to replace government-funded scholarships with a new system of academic qualification bonuses.

The draft law, apart from its preamble, consists of two articles.

The first article proposes adding a new clause, numbered (15) bis, to the Civil Service Law issued by Decree Law No. (48) of 2010.

This clause would entitle every Bahraini employee holding a recognized academic qualification from an accredited university to receive a bonus known as “Academic Qualification Bonus.”

Bonus amounts The bonus amounts would be as follows: BD20 for a higher diploma, BS40 for a master’s degree, and BD60 for a doctorate.

This bonus cannot be combined with any other existing academic qualification bonus, and it would not apply to positions where a specific academic qualification is a prerequisite for employment or promotion.

The second article of the draft law is purely procedural.

The government has highlighted that the draft law contradicts the established legislative policy governing the enactment of laws and regulations related to the civil service.

Policy It emphasises that lawmakers must adhere to this policy, ensuring that when regulating a specific matter, they define its general framework while leaving the details to executive regulations and ministerial decisions.

This approach allows for flexibility and ease of amendment in response to evolving circumstances that may necessitate swift legislative intervention.

Conversely, laws require more time-consuming procedures for amendments, as mandated by constitutional provisions, the government stated.