MLSD Minister participates in the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Social Affairs and Development in the Cooperation Council States
14-10-2020
His Excellency Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, took part—via video conference—in the sixth meeting of GCC Ministers of Social Affairs and Development Committee. The session was chaired by Her Excellency Ms. Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development of the United Arab Emirates and current chair of the GCC committee. The ministers examined the impact of COVID‑19 on family stability and low‑income households across GCC societies, reviewed nationwide relief measures, and noted the voluntary efforts by civil‑society organisations to support official responses. They exchanged experience on safeguarding families—particularly people of determination, senior citizens and households of limited means—and assessed health and community‑protection initiatives introduced throughout the region. In his address, Humaidan outlined Bahrain’s comprehensive measures to safeguard individuals and families during the COVID‑19 pandemic. He underscored that the Government’s financial and economic stimulus package has directly benefited micro‑enterprise owners and productive‑family projects, while Cabinet directives doubled social‑assistance allocations during Ramadan, including for people of determination. These interventions, together with allied support initiatives, have preserved families’ economic security and reinforced their stability. Humaidan reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to maintaining both direct and indirect assistance so that every citizen enjoys a dignified standard of living and sustained well‑being. Participants examined unified strategies to strengthen volunteerism in support of government bodies, to modernise legislation governing civil‑society organisations and to enhance their crisis‑response role, as well as to expand support mechanisms for productive families and small businesses. They also discussed policies to train and upskill personnel caring for vulnerable groups, thereby elevating service quality. The ministers approved regulations for an annual GCC award honouring distinguished social work leaders and reviewed preparations for the fifth Theatre Festival for people of determination, to be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2021.