More jobs, better income focus of Bahrain's four-year Government Action Plan

TDT | Manama                          

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Raising people’s standards of living and purchasing power formed the crux of the Government Action Plan (GAP) that received a unanimous nod from parliamentarians yesterday.

The approval came during an urgent extraordinary session that saw more than five hours of heated debates, discussions and amendments.

During the session, the GAP also set other priorities, which include attaining justice, security and stability, economic recovery and sustainable development, improving quality and making government services more competitive.

The session set these priorities after reaching consensus on six themes: Raising the standards of living, the sovereign and legislative theme, infrastructure and environment, economic recovery and financial sustainability, community services, government performance and digital transformation.

All these “will be implemented through the policies and initiatives included in the Government programme,” said Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Deputy Prime Minister, chairing the session that saw MPs proposing several amendments and their approval.

Shaikh Khalid assured MPs that the government is committed to making citizens the priority and theme of the 2023-2026 Work Programme.

“The aim is to boost the efficiency of public services, achieve financial balance, and enhance private sector partnership,” added Shaikh Khalid.

The decisions came after discussions on reports by specialised committees and their proposals regarding priorities in the GAP in parallel with the Fiscal Balance Programme.

Deputy Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalid, further said the improvement of the government’s four-year action plan embodies the Representatives Council’s confidence in it, noting that all ministries and government departments will begin implementing the Programme’s priorities, policies and initiatives immediately, in line with HM the King’s visions and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s directives.

Budget to reflect all decisions: Finance Minister

The Minister of Finance and National Economy, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, told the MPs that all the agreements reached in the House of Parliament - giving priority to citizens, improving their living standards, raising wages and purchasing power - would be reflected in the upcoming decisions and laws, especially in the general budget.

Creating promising opportunities for citizens calls for following the spirit of one Bahrain team and focusing on all sectors, which also calls for proper training and correct investments, the minister said, saluting Bahraini workers for boosting the economy.

Emphasising his pride in all Bahrainis in various positions, the minister said that the employment plans should include not only new entrants but jobs for all, and their career development.

“What has been achieved yesterday is a good start,” the minister stressed, reminding that mutual trust is crucial in going forward. The general budget, the minister said, is decided only through a consensus with the representatives. The minister also told the session that the amendments made yesterday reflect the agreement of the two authorities.

“It is a greeting to every Bahraini in the Kingdom,” the minister said, indicating new plans to create more job opportunities.

Set BD850 minimum salary: Al Salloum

MP Ahmed Al Salloum yesterday proposed creating 30,000 jobs for citizens in the private sector, with average salaries, as a radical solution to improve living standards.

Raising the salaries, Al Salloum said, will help Bahrainis fulfil their needs without government intervention, which they currently fail to achieve for their low income. “The growth rates also reflect this,” he said, calling for the ceiling of the minimum wage to be set at BD850 or BD1,000.

Representatives Council Speaker, Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam, extended deepest congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the approval of the Government Programme, commending the prominent role played by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in attaining such a national accomplishment.

Speaker Al-Musallam also praised the constructive cooperation of the government team, led by Deputy Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, who, he said, responded positively to the remarks and visions of the Representatives Council.

He also thanked the parliamentary committee in charge of studying the Government Programme, and Secretariat-General for reaching a consensus on the government blueprint.