MP questions disability support after wheelchair user offered driving job

TDT | Manama

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A man in a wheelchair was offered a job as a truck driver, Parliament was told yesterday, as MPs took aim at the disability assessment system and urged the government to double the monthly allowance.

MP Hisham Al Awadhi raised the issue during the session, saying the current BD100 allowance was too low to cover basic needs and that many cases of severe disability were being wrongly denied the higher BD200 rate.

He also criticised the assessment process itself.

“People are receiving BD100 without any clarity on how they were evaluated or how long the assessment stands,” he said. “In some neighbouring countries, the minimum is BD500.”

VAT

Al Awadhi pointed out that VAT still applies to equipment and supplies used by people with disabilities, increasing monthly costs for families already under pressure.

“ There are house hold s spending hundreds of dinars each month, and the allowance doesn’t even scratch the surface.” He went on to question the decision to scrap the disability identification card.

“What’s the reason? If it’s a money issue, I’ll pay for every card myself.”

Complaint

The most striking example came from a recent complaint. Al Awadhi said a man using a wheelchair had been offered work as a trailer truck driver, an offer made by the Ministry of Labour based on a referral from the Social Development Ministry.

In response, Social Development Minister, His Excellency Osama Al Alawi, said the government was pressing ahead with its strategy for disability support, which began with the 2006 law setting out rights and entitlements for this group.

Monthly allowances

He said monthly allowances had been raised in stages over the years, with five categories of severe disability now covered under the BD200 rate.

By January 2025, some 14,780 people were receiving support, issued under rules aimed at ensuring fairness in distribution.

The minister added that the government’s work extended beyond financial aid.

Construction is in progress on a new facility, the Comprehensive Disability Centre, which will contain nine buildings and offer services in care, education and rehabilitation.

International standards

The project is expected to follow international standards for such centres.

The ministry also provides BD1.2 million in yearly funding to 12 licensed non-governmental centres around the country.

Al Alawi said the ministry is open to ideas from MPs and would continue to work with the Council to improve support for people with disa.