MLSD Minister: Launching an electronic registration service for employers to pay the government the salaries of citizens in the private sector

08-04-2020

In accordance with the Royal directives to launch a financial and economic package to support citizens and the private sector, and the government’s commitment to pay the salaries of Bahraini citizens working in the private sector and registered with the Social Insurance Organization (SIO) for the months of April, May and June 2020, which comes as part of unified national efforts to curb the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, announced the launch of a service on the Social Insurance Organization’s website (www.sio.gov.bh), enabling employers to register, starting today, Wednesday, to benefit from the government’s commitment to pay the salaries of citizens working in private sector establishments. The eService enables employers to register their banking information via their active account with the Social Insurance Organization (SIO). If they do not have an active e‑account, they may activate it on the website. Humaidan affirmed that the government’s commitment to paying the salaries of citizens in the private sector comes within the framework of the keenness of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country's great king, may God protect and preserve him, and the esteemed government headed by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, and the follow‑up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, may God protect them, to provide the necessary liquidity for the private sector to deal with the effects of the current situation and mitigate the social and economic impacts of the global COVID‑19 pandemic and its repercussions, and to maintain the growth of the private sector and enhance its vital role in supporting the national economy. Humaidan explained that salaries will be paid according to the figures registered with the Social Insurance Organization (SIO) until the end of February. He noted that these salaries will be paid through savings from the Unemployment Insurance Fund, which will cost 215 million Bahraini dinars to cover the months of April, May and June 2020, at a monthly rate exceeding 70 million dinars. This includes all Bahrainis working in private sector establishments, numbering approximately 100,000 employees and workers registered with SIO.