‘Building the nation’

TDT | Manama

Bahraini workers have played a vital role in building and advancing the nation, His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa said yesterday. HRH the Premier lauded their contributions to the Kingdom’s development process and praised their efforts, as well as those of trade unions, to improve the work environment and maintain the labour gains attained during His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s prosperous era.

HRH the Prime Minister said this as he chaired yesterday the weekly Cabinet session, held remotely, and attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.

Stimulus package to benefit more segments

At the meeting, the Cabinet decided to allocate two portfolios to support taxi drivers and driving instructors amidst the current situation resulting from the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The move is in line with the order of HRH the Premier and the directives of HRH the Crown Prince on increasing the number of beneficiaries from the economic stimulus package by taking advantage of the financing programmes of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) to support some segments that have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Under the first portfolio, amounts not exceeding BD300 will be paid to 950 taxi and bus drivers for three months. In the second portfolio, 829 driving instructors, who do not have commercial registrations or receive a pension, will be entitled to the same amount, also for three months.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet decided to pay the full salaries of 422 workers in kindergartens and 102 workers in nurseries, who are not insured in the Social Insurance Organisation, for three months through the Labour Fund.

Development projects’ progress reviewed

The cabinet reviewed the work progress at 96 currently implemented development projects, worth BD311 million. They include 15 road projects costing BD129 million, 49 sanitation projects worth BD118, and 32 construction projects valued at BD64 million.

The session was also informed, through the memorandum submitted by the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, about the tenders that had been launched or awarded in three sectors during the first quarter of this year.

A total of 32 tenders, worth BD92 million, were launched, while 24 tenders, costing BD16 million, were awarded during the first quarter of 2020 in the roads, sanitation and construction sectors.

National Ambulance System’s performance under review

HRH the Premier gave directives to submit a report on the performance of the National Ambulance System. This is in terms of rapid response and arrival of ambulance services in a timely manner to patients and the injured, as well as regarding the competence and efficiency of the ambulance services’ staff in light of the development and training plans held to meet the needs of the current circumstances.

Mohammed bin Mubarak Academy’s establishment decree to be amended

The session endorsed a draft decree on amending the decree establishing the Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies. Under the amendment, the Academy will have a six-member board of trustees, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The members, including the Foreign Ministry’s officials or others, will be appointed as per a decree, based on the nomination of the Minister, and as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs and presented by the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Committee.

Amendment to GCC nationals’ real estate ownership law endorsed

The session approved amending the law allowing citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to own built real estates and lands in Bahrain.

The amendment stipulates that GCC owners may dispose of their property through one of the legally prescribed ways, namely a will or inheritance, after the approval of the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister, and in the regions specified by the High Urban Planning Committee.

Presented by the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister, the draft law on amending the first article of Decree-Law 40/1999 on GCC citizens’ ownership of built real estates and lands, was referred to the Council of Representatives, in accordance with the legal and constitutional procedures in force.