New retirement law to instigate catastrophic impact on citizens

MPs say the bill, if enacted, will bring disastrous impacts on lives of citizens

The Council of Representatives is set to hold a historical session on Tuesday to vote on the amended Retirement Law that has been urgently referred to it by the Government last week.

According to lawmakers, the new legislation could be “the most significant law” that the existing council votes in its four-year legislative term, which is scheduled to end on June 14.

It instructs to give absolute jurisdictions of determining pensions’ percentages, retirement age, pensions increment and other powers related to the regulation of retirement and pensions, that are currently governed by the law, to the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO). This includes public and military employees.

The law has become the talk of the town in the past few days and opened the doors wide for anticipations such as sudden reduction in pensions or raise in retirement age.

MPs, columnists, activists and netizens have voiced out their absolute rejection to the proposed law, describing it as an “unwise” decision that would have “disastrous” impacts on citizens’ livelihoods.

The matter has become the most discussed topic on Bahraini social media networks. Several activists and netizens claimed that a number of MPs wouldn’t attend Tuesday’s crucial session to avoid embarrassment with both the Government and the people of Bahrain.

Social Activist Hamad Al Kooheji has warned the MPs in a video message that went viral online, that they will lose their credibility and legitimacy as the representatives of citizens if they don’t attend the meeting.

Ms Al Hayki, Service Committee Member, commented, “This is a historical moment for the 2014-2018 council. I urge my fellow MPs to ensure their attendance and to vote against the law, as it directly affects citizens’ income.”