Cold weather is here in Bahrain, expatriates can heave a ‘sigh of relief’ again

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Cool temperature is now on our doorstep as a relatively mild winter is finally coming in Bahrain. Weathermen have forecast unsettled weather this week with scattered rains in some parts of Bahrain.

Mornings are getting chillier by the day, and people are struggling to fight off the cold weather.

What does that mean for expatriates?

Expatriates, who makeup 52.6% of the population and play a key role in the development of the national economy, can now heave a collective sigh of relief – although only temporarily!

Power bills have already gone down last month and will continue until March or April next year.

Every hot summer month – from May to October – expatriates all have the same issue and concern: extremely high electricity and water bills! This year is no exception.

The issue has caused an uproar among the ex-pat population as it comes at a time when many have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

Utility bills are a significant part of every household’s monthly budget.

And as always, utility bills are the highest during the summer months due to the increased use of air conditioners and water, making it a struggle for many expatriates.

Since 2016, ex-pats are charged 29 fils per unit for electricity and 750 fils per unit for water.

Bahrainis pay 3 fils per unit for electricity under 3,000 units, increasing to 9 fils for anything above this.

This means ex-pats pay a massive 866 per cent more than Bahrainis.

The abnormally high utility bills are causing a sizeable burden to low-income expats.

Absurdly high utility bills are weighing down on them as many are unable to cope with the rising costs.

Many of them struggle to pay bills and they leave Bahrain for good as their entire salary is just going towards expenses.

For other expatriates, especially those with families, it is unreasonable to pay utility costs that almost amount to the rent, so they are forced to send their families home.

Expenses are soaring but salaries remain the same – there is no increase, in fact – and in some sectors salaries are not paid on time by many employers.

This is making the situation worse for expatriates who send money to their families back home.

Many are forced to move into shared accommodation because they are struggling to meet rising expenses, foremost of which is the soaring electricity and water bill.

Tenants, bachelors, couples and large families, who live in apartment buildings that share electricity and water bills also complain about what they describe as an unfair system.

In some cases, expats are paying utility bills that are even higher than their monthly rent.

Indeed, the pleasant cold weather is here again so expatriates can make the most of the coming months until April when utility bills are still “affordable”.