Bahrain lawmakers can attend House sessions remotely from tomorrow

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The General Secretariat of the Bahrain House of Representatives yesterday announced that starting tomorrow lawmakers can attend the House sessions remotely.

This follows a statement from the House Speaker a few months ago that digital transformation will be implemented across all parliamentary procedures.

Speaker Fawzia Zainal had said that the parliament will be striving to explore the optimal use of modern technologies during the third session of the fifth legislative term.

“All paperwork will cease to exist, paving the way for communication via electronic and digital mode. “To optimally invest in digital transformation techniques by continuing to implement in electronic projects has been a priority of visions highlighted by His Majesty.”

It is expected that the paper to electronic transformation will reduce the expenditure incurred by the House in the coming years.

The Daily Tribune yesterday reported about a group of lawmakers placing an urgent proposal before the government to allow the implementation of a flexible working system including remote work during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Lawmaker Bader Al Dosari said the proposal is in line with the steps taken by neighbouring countries to ensure the continuity of work while taking into consideration the latest technological advancements.

“There are many jobs whose daily functions can be carried out from homes and there is no harm in allowing remote work options for those who are engaged in such jobs. We understand that there are many jobs which cannot be done remotely, including jobs related to public service and security functions.”

Mr Al Dosari added that the month of Ramadan is a spiritual month in which the employee, during the fasting period, needs to have an appropriate environment for work, and there are some job categories that can be done remotely, taking into account their family conditions.

He stressed that this request, if implemented, would achieve the public interest and would enhance family cohesion and social cohesion during the Holy Month. He noted that the government had previously implemented this system during the height of the pandemic.

“The move will also help in improving employees efficiency as well as reduce financial wastage in terms of operating costs for companies, ministries and government agencies.”

Government’s Digital Transformation Journey is being spearheaded by the Supreme Council for Information and Communication Technology (SCICT), chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa and supported by the National ICT Governance Committee (ICTGC), which monitors the coordination and implementation of strategic digital initiatives across Bahrain.

The Covid-19 pandemic has further augmented the use of Bahrain’s existing and emerging technologies, allowing the country to broaden the reach of its national digital transformation initiatives and electronic services.