Stimulus package extension

TDT | Manama

The government has decided to continue paying 50% of the salaries of insured Bahraini citizens hardest hit by the coronavirus (COVID-19) for a period of three more months, starting from October until December.

The extension of stimulus the package was approved during the weekly Cabinet meeting, held remotely and chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. More than 23,000 Bahraini private company workers and 4,000 establishments stand to benefit from the new salary payment scheme.

The government had previously extended its assistance to Bahraini citizens by paying half of their wages from April to June and from July to September to cushion the financial impact of the pandemic. Following the Royal Directives of HM the King to unify national efforts and sustaining the Kingdom’s national economy, the Cabinet also decided on the following:

• The Cabinet approved a Draft Law adding a new clause (No.5) to Paragraph (c) of Article (8) of Decree-Law No. (78) of the year 2006, regarding insurance against unemployment and recommending its promulgation in accordance with Article (38) of the constitution.

• The payment of 50% of the salaries of a total of 524 uninsured employees in kindergartens and nurseries for a period of 3 months starting from October 2020.

• To extend the wage support provided by the Kingdom’s Labour Fund (Tamkeen) for an additional 3 months, starting from October 2020, at the rate of 150 dinars per month to support 950 taxi drivers, public transport drivers, and 829 driving instructors.

• The exemption of tourist facilities from tourism fees for an additional three months, starting from October 2020.