60416 benefited from the support in 11,120 companies and institutions
27-07-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, announced that the Social Insurance Organization (SIO), in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, has completed all administrative procedures to transfer 50 per cent of insured Bahraini employees’ salaries to the bank accounts of 11,120 private‑sector companies and institutions hardest hit by the Coronavirus (COVID‑19) pandemic. Beginning 27 July 2020, these establishments will disburse the Government’s wage support—paid in full accordance with each employment contract—to 60,416 eligible Bahraini citizens. This initiative implements the royal directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the great King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, to unify national efforts in confronting COVID-19 while safeguarding public health and sustaining economic activity. It also fulfils the decision of the Cabinet, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, and supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, to cover half the salaries of insured Bahrainis employed in the most affected private‑sector establishments for July, August and September 2020 through the Unemployment Insurance Fund. The wage‑support programme is designed to bolster job stability, encourage employers to retain national talent and mitigate the economic impact of current market conditions. Humaidan clarified that, to qualify for this second phase of support, an establishment must be classified among the sectors most impacted by the pandemic, experiencing total or partial operational suspension that hinders its ability to meet wage commitments. Eligible employers must also maintain their Bahraini workforce throughout 2020 and pay the remaining salary portion in full, on time and without deduction. Following a comprehensive assessment based on defined criteria, the severely affected sectors are: travel and aviation; hospitality and restaurants; personal services (salons, gyms, recreational and entertainment venues); industry; health; transportation and communications; rehabilitation and training (including kindergartens); non‑food retail; administrative services (public relations, media and event organisation); real estate; engineering, technical offices and contracting; local newspapers and magazines; and any comparable sectors, excluding finance, communications, scientific, technical and professional activities, and university education and schools. Humaidan concluded by lauding the Government’s steadfast commitment to placing Bahraini citizens at the centre of every development initiative, recognising them as the Kingdom’s most valuable national asset. He underlined the State’s increasing dedication to shielding individuals from the socio‑economic repercussions of the COVID‑19 pandemic by bolstering protection programmes and social‑care services across all productive sectors.