Domestic Workers Face Potential Loss of End-of-Service Pay in Bahrain

TDT | Manama

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Parliament is reconsidering a controversial proposal that could strip domestic workers in Bahrain of their end-of-service benefits as rising recruitment costs strain family budgets.

The proposal, led by Maryam Al Saegh, seeks to ease the financial burden on Bahraini families, who often pay more than 2,000 dinars just to hire domestic staff. Al Saegh expressed concern, stating, ‘If you consider the total costs, including recruitment and wages, families could be facing bills exceeding 5,000 dinars over two years.’ Her worry is that these sums are unaffordable for many citizens, particularly those on lower incomes.

The Services Committee initially recommended this change last January, seeking to deny benefits to workers who violate their contracts. They believe the move would deter absconding workers, thus protecting employers’ interests. However, the Ministry of Labour opposed the idea, warning that such measures could lead to discrimination. They also noted that legal issues might arise, suggesting that penalties for contract violations could be problematic under Bahrain’s labour laws, which focus on employer-employee relations rather than residency or work permits.

Now, Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam has sent a new draft law back to the Services Committee, aiming to exempt all domestic workers from receiving end-of-service payments altogether. This has reignited the debate, with Al Saegh advocating for the proposal to proceed, asserting that citizens’ welfare must be prioritised. She pointed to practices in other nations where locals are favoured over foreign workers, arguing that this approach should not be viewed as discriminatory but rather as a necessary economic measure.

The Ministry of Labour, however, expresses reservations. They have warned that removing these benefits, especially without considering the duration of employment, could lead to exploitation. They stress that Bahrain’s labour laws are intended to protect workers’ rights, and any amendment needs to consider the potential long-term effects on both employees and employers.

Al Saegh countered that the legal framework, starting from the Constitution, should first serve the interests of citizens, particularly those with limited means. She pointed out that prioritising locals over foreign workers is a common practice in many countries and should not be seen as discriminatory.

Her proposal seeks to relieve financial pressures on households by sparing them from the additional costs associated with end-of-service benefits. She noted that domestic workers no longer receive modest wages, with current salaries ranging between 120 and 180 dinars, if not more.

‘If we factor in recruitment fees—often exceeding 2,000 dinars—and an average monthly wage of 150 dinars, the total salary for two workers over two years is 3,600 dinars. Adding recruitment fees and end-of-service costs, a citizen could face a bill of around 5,750 dinars over that period,’ she explained.

As discussions progress, the outcome will hinge on whether Parliament prioritises easing financial burdens on citizens over protecting the rights of domestic workers. The debate brings to light a pressing challenge: how to balance economic pressures with the need to protect vulnerable workers in a country heavily reliant on expatriates.