Budget focus on welfare schemes

Manama : Labour and Social Development Minister, Jameel Humaidan, yesterday said that the General State Budget for the two fiscal years 2017 and 2018 has earmarked BD19.8 million and BD21.5 million for the social insurance schemes of 2017 and 2018, respectively. The minister also revealed that the number of individuals and families covered by the Social Insurance promulgated by Law 18/2006 is estimated at 14,901. 

The move, according to the minister, is based on the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to take care of the fund requirements of citizens’ affairs in the draft-law on the General State Budget.

The Minister also praised the directives given by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to preserve the citizens’ rights and keep them unaffected and the close follow-up and support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier in this regard. 

The budget has set apart BD115 million and BD 128 million to meet the cost of living allowances for 2017 and 2018, respectively of which there are 120,602 beneficiaries. 

The budget has also earmarked a large chunk of funds to improve the living standards of people with disabilities and to integrate them into society by taking advantage of their skills and talent. Humaidan said the budget has allotted BD17.7 million and BD19.1 million to 10,700 citizens for 2017 and 2018. The Minister explained that the General State Budget for the two fiscal years 2017 and 2018 maintains all benefits for citizens including that for social assistance, cost of living, as well as for the handicap and retirees’ living improvement allowances.

The move is in line with the government’s keenness to improve the living standards of Bahraini individuals and families, especially low-income ones. 

In this regard, the Minister valued highly the “positive” role played by the Legislative Branch in completing the state budget bill, and keenness on continuing efforts to develop social and development services.

He affirmed that the Labour and Social Development Ministry had taken all procedures to continue disbursing cash and social assistance to all beneficiaries and credit them to their accounts on time.