MPs call to raise unemployment payments to 80%

TDT | Manama

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Lawmakers have called for unemployment payments to be increased from 60 per cent to 80 per cent of a worker’s last wage, arguing that the current rate is leaving many struggling to make ends meet.

The proposal, now before Parliament, aims to ease the financial strain on unemployed individuals, particularly as everyday expenses continue to rise.

The MPs behind the push have said the current payments are falling short, forcing people out of work to scrape by on less than they can manage.

“The current rate places people under pressure, stretching their reduced income to breaking point,” they said, stressing that the higher rate would provide some much-needed breathing room.

Difficult times

This proposal draws on the Constitution, which obliges the state to look after its citizens during difficult times, such as illness or unemployment.

“The state has a duty to shield its people from hardship, whether it’s unemployment, sickness, or other challenges,” the MPs said, citing the Constitution’s provisions for social support.

Unemployment payments are seen as a lifeline for those without work, but the system has faced criticism for failing to keep up with the rising cost of living.

Financial commitments

Many recipients, the MPs argue, entered into loans and other financial commitments when earning a full salary, leaving them in a precarious position when payments drop to 60 per cent.

The proposal was tabled by MPs Basma Mubarak, Hanan Fardan, Ahmed Al Salloom, Lulwa Al Rumaihi, and Mamdouh Al Saleh.

It will now head to a parliamentary committee for review before being debated in the chamber.

Stability

Supporters argue that the change would give unemployed people the stability they need to keep their heads above water while looking for new work.

If Parliament agrees to the amendment, it could mark a turning point in how Bahrain supports its jobseekers, ensuring they are better equipped to weather periods of unemployment.