News
MLSD Minister insures the importance of strengthening channels of communication with PMs
17-06-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, met with Dr Hesham Ahmed Al Asheeri, Member of Parliament, in his office at the Ministry. The two discussed several topics related to the services provided by the Ministry and the role of the legislative authority in strengthening labour and social laws and legislation aimed at providing the best services to all segments and classes of society. Humaidan praised the level of cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities, noting in this context the importance of strengthening communication channels between members of the Council of Representatives and the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, in light of the Ministry's keenness to open its doors to discuss issues of concern to citizens. He also stressed the importance of informing MPs of the measures taken by the Ministry with complete transparency in the current circumstances the world is experiencing due to the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), and facing the resulting challenges in the labour market. For his part, MP Al Asheeri commended the existing cooperation between the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and the Council of Representatives, pointing out that this has had a positive impact on national legislation and laws issued by the Council of Representatives, which facilitates the Ministry’s tasks in implementing plans and initiatives to employ citizens in private sector establishments and enhance social welfare programmes. He praised the Ministry’s efforts, whether through maintaining job stability for citizens in companies and institutions or through enhancing social protection for various targeted societal groups and segments, in order to achieve family stability for citizens.
MLSD Minister discusses with PM Ammar the improvement of areas of cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities
16-06-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, met with Member of the Council of Representatives, Mr Ammar Hussein Al Abbas, at his office at the Ministry. The two discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities to achieve common interests that meet citizens’ aspirations. Humaidan affirmed the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s continued development of service projects for citizens, foremost among which is the provision of job opportunities and job stability for citizens under various circumstances. He also stressed the importance of continuing the policy of supporting social protection, developing Bahraini families, and empowering them economically to raise their standard of living by providing them with all necessary resources. He also highlighted the importance of fruitful cooperation with the Council of Representatives in enacting and developing the necessary legislation to achieve the national strategic goals in the areas of labour and social care. For his part, MP Al Abbas commended the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s efforts in achieving development goals, affirming his support for all programmes and projects that facilitate the provision of distinguished services to citizens. He commended the measures taken by the Ministry in these exceptional circumstances facing the world due to the coronavirus pandemic, calling for further cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities to overcome this phase and move on to continue building comprehensive development plans.
The Minister of Labor and Social Development meets the Secretary-General of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions
12-06-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, met in his office at the Ministry with the Secretary‑General of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions, Mr Abdul Qadir Abdul Karim Al Shehabi, and discussed with him issues of common interest, foremost among which are the measures and initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development to ensure the stability of national cadres in private sector establishments and protect them from illegal and unjustified dismissal in these exceptional circumstances that the world and the Kingdom of Bahrain are experiencing due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Humaidan emphasised the importance of concerted efforts and enhancing fruitful cooperation between the three parties involved in production (government, employers, and workers) to preserve national gains and emphasise the vital role played by national competencies and cadres across various production sites. This underscores everyone’s role in supporting the desired production and growth movement, while avoiding any negative repercussions of the COVID‑19 pandemic. In turn, Al Shehabi praised the fruitful efforts made by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development in supporting national cadres and providing all the necessary capabilities to develop their professional capabilities, making them preferred by employers. He pointed out that this has positively reflected on the commitment of institutions and companies to national human resources and opened up broader horizons for them in career development. These efforts have also contributed to job stability, a key priority, especially during the current global crisis caused by the Coronavirus. He called for unifying all efforts towards achieving this national goal that everyone seeks until this pandemic ends and life returns to normal, and the wheel of production and comprehensive development is restored to its speed.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Development signs a memorandum of understanding with BIBF
11-06-2020
Today, Thursday, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) to train job seekers using virtual training technology. The signing ceremony was attended by His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, the Institute's CEO, Dr Ahmed Abdul Ghani AlShaikh, and a number of officials from the Ministry and the Institute. The ceremony was held at the Ministry's headquarters in Zayed City. The bilateral cooperation memorandum was signed by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Mr Sabah Salem Al Dossari, representing the Ministry, and Dr Ahmed Abdul Ghani AlShaikh, representing the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance. This agreement aims to launch the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance's initiative to offer several training programmes for job seekers in the fields of accounting, finance, business administration, insurance, computing, project management, and leadership. This will be implemented within a modern electronic platform that includes many motivating and encouraging elements, including some facilities and exemptions for job seekers to join these programmes in such exceptional circumstances, in order to develop personal skills and capabilities and increase employment opportunities for citizens within the programmes implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, which help job seekers develop their educational skills and personal and professional capabilities. In a statement after signing the memorandum, the Minister of Labour and Social Development praised the initiative of the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) to offer courses for job seekers, based on the institute’s belief in the importance of supporting national skills and competencies. He stressed that this reflects the responsible patriotism of this national institution. He pointed out that the signing of this memorandum comes within a series of memoranda of understanding concluded by the Ministry with a number of relevant entities, within the framework of community partnership with the aim of enhancing the skills and capabilities of job seekers to facilitate their integration into the private sector. He added that holding remote training courses in these exceptional circumstances is an opportunity to enhance modern technologies in specialised courses and innovate other fields and horizons for training in line with technological development. He stressed in this context that the Ministry will begin procedures to register lists of job seekers who wish to participate in these specialised courses. For his part, the Director General of the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance, Dr Ahmed Abdul Ghani AlShaikh, stressed that the Institute continuously seeks to activate tools of joint cooperation with all governmental and private entities in order to develop the government work system, which contributes to raising the level of services provided to citizens. He explained that the memorandum of understanding comes within the efforts to provide the best training services that meet the needs of national cadres, praising the role played by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development in effectively contributing to the process of advancing Bahraini society and developing its national human resources through various preparation and qualification services that suit different segments of job seekers, fulfilling their desires and ambitions, and helping them start their professional lives in various functional and professional specialisations.
MLSD Minister: Implementing the maximum preventive measures in rehabilitation centers and closing the non-compliant
11-06-2020
Based on the decisions of the Coordination Committee, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, may God protect him, and the presentation of the National Medical Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), chaired by His Excellency Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health, His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, issued an administrative circular regarding the resumption of activities, programmes and individual rehabilitation sessions in private centres working in the field of disability, in accordance with precautionary controls and requirements to ensure the provision of a safe and healthy working environment for students and staff at these rehabilitation centres, effective from 14 June 2020. The administrative circular emphasised the need for private rehabilitation centres to adhere to the Ministry of Health's guidelines for daily disinfection and sterilisation of the centres. This includes classrooms, rehabilitation facilities, equipment, educational tools, administrative offices and employee devices. It also requires the provision of necessary disinfectants at the entrance to the rehabilitation centre and throughout its various areas. It is also necessary to maintain the cleanliness and ventilation of the centre, ensure that waste is removed daily and disposed of safely, ensure that toilets are clean after each use, and encourage good health practices, especially handwashing, as prescribed. In compliance with sterilisation regulations and safety precautions, centres must allocate individual materials and equipment for each beneficiary. They must also sterilise all shared tools, equipment and devices before and after use. Social distancing requirements must be adhered to, and the temperature of all centre staff, including administrative and rehabilitation staff, as well as beneficiaries, must be measured daily. Anyone with a temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius is prohibited from entering. According to the established requirements, all employees of the centres, administrative and rehabilitation bodies, beneficiaries and visitors are also required to wear protective masks and gloves, with the necessity of quickly disclosing by calling (444) when suspected cases show signs and symptoms indicating the possibility of infection with the Coronavirus or it is believed that they have been exposed to contact with an existing case of the virus, and it is strictly forbidden to provide light meals and drinks to students while they are in the rehabilitation centre. The administrative circular specified the controls and requirements for the rehabilitation process, emphasising the importance of organising the rehabilitation sessions for the beneficiaries registered at the centre so that the number of students does not exceed one beneficiary per specialist trainer, while ensuring that the trainer's protective mask and gloves are changed with each beneficiary. Attendance is optional for students who wish to attend under the current circumstances, while encouraging the continuation of virtual rehabilitation and enhancing it through various means, with the possibility of combining classroom and virtual rehabilitation according to what is determined by the type of programme, while adhering to the terms and conditions specified in the circulars issued and organised in this regard. All rehabilitation centres will be randomly inspected periodically by inspectors from the Ministry of Labour and Social Development to ensure that the centre adheres to health requirements and regulations governing the rehabilitation process. If any rehabilitation centre fails to comply, it will be fined, closed, and the necessary legal action will be taken. In this context, His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development emphasised that people with disabilities are of very great interest to the esteemed government, which is keen to provide means of social protection, healthcare and rehabilitation. In the same context, he praised the efforts of Bahraini talents operating private centres working in the field of disability, and the advanced level of services provided by these centres, which contribute to creating a suitable environment for people with disabilities, facilitating their integration into society and their effective participation in the comprehensive development process, and their involvement in public formal education and educational and training institutions. Humaidan explained that the Ministry of Labour and Social Development is committed to continuing to support the efforts of civil society organisations to provide the best sustainable social and development services, particularly those concerned with people with disabilities. This stems from a desire to strengthen the community partnership system between various governmental, civil, and private institutions, and to consolidate the principle of human and social solidarity among all segments and groups of society, particularly during this exceptional period.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Development launches an electronic platform for children's and youth clubs
10-06-2020
The Director of the Family and Child Development Directorate at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Ms Aisha Mohammed Al Zayed, announced that the Ministry has recently launched an electronic platform for children and youth clubs. The aim is to preserve the safety of children and youth clubs and the Sharifa Al Awadhi Youth and Children Club, affiliated with the Ministry, and to spare them the effects of social interaction and gatherings during these exceptional circumstances that the world and the Kingdom of Bahrain are experiencing due to the Coronavirus (COVID‑19). Al Zayed stressed that since the decision to suspend studies in public and private schools and activate the distance‑learning system to protect students and prevent infection with the coronavirus, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development has been keen to find an alternative to occupy the free time of children and youth during the summer holiday period, to protect children and youth and spare them any health risks, which may make them and their parents suffer from free time and ways to fill it;. Hence, the proposal to establish an electronic children and youth club came to overcome the problem of occupying their free time, in a way that benefits and contributes to spreading awareness among the target group, in addition to achieving the benefit of electronic devices purposefully. The platform address is (Instagram@child_youthclubs). Ms Aisha Mohammed Al Zayed explained that the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, in the context of continuing its developmental and care role for children and youth during the summer holiday, focused on activating the electronic club through a secure electronic platform for communication between children, and enhancing social communication between the target group and members of the children and youth clubs and the Sharifa Al Awadhi Youth and Children Club. The specialised team in the clubs began preparing interactive activities and programmes that children can implement from home, and they include several fields, most notably arts, handicrafts and reading the Holy Quran. The e-club receives contributions from children and youth via email (sharifa.club@mlsd.gov.bh).
Integrating the data of disabled registered with the Ministry of Labor and Social Development with the ID card
09-06-2020
Assistant Undersecretary for Social Care and Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Shaikha Aisha bint Ali Al Khalifa, announced that, in line with the joint cooperation between the Ministry and the Information and eGovernment Authority in the service file for persons with disabilities, the data of the disability cards registered with the Ministry has recently been merged with the updated version of the identity card, by printing the type of disability on the identity card of the disabled person. This will contribute to facilitating the affairs of this segment of citizens and enabling them to benefit from all the advantages, services and facilities provided by governmental and private entities and institutions. The Assistant Undersecretary for Social Care and Rehabilitation explained that providing the electronic ID chip with data on persons with disabilities and identifying their type of disability would eliminate the need for the Ministry‑issued disability cards. Accordingly, the Ministry has stopped issuing disability cards and will instead print the type of disability on the ID card. Shaikha Aisha bint Ali Al Khalifa affirmed that this step comes within the framework of keeping pace with modern applications in various national initiatives and projects, and facilitating access for this category. She explained that all persons with disabilities registered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, numbering more than 12,000 citizens, can renew their ID cards with the updated version, which will include disability data, eliminating the need to issue a disability card for them. Shaikha Aisha bint Ali Al Khalifa said that this step aims to provide the best services and programmes from the Ministry to the beneficiaries according to the highest levels of quality, efficiency, electronic and health security, in addition to ensuring that they benefit from all the advantages, services and facilities provided by governmental and private agencies and institutions with ease and convenience, represented by the discounts offered by a number of institutions and commercial stores by a percentage ranging from 5% to 50%, in addition to obtaining a sticker for parking spaces for people with disabilities from the General Traffic Department, as well as granting them a special lane in the King Fahd Causeway Authority, and a 50% discount on the bridge crossing fees.
MLSD Minister insures the importance of maintaining job stability for national workers
09-06-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, stressed that preserving, adhering to, and developing the national workforce and its professional advancement are among the most important components of the sustainable success of companies and institutions. Investing in the Bahraini workforce is a win-win for employers, considering them the true capital and an effective contributor to the prosperity and development of the private sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This came during a meeting between Humaidan, today, Tuesday, in his office, with members of the Council of Representatives, His Excellency Mr Abdulla Khalifa Al Thawadi, and His Excellency MP Basim Salman Al Malki, where he discussed with them prospects for cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities and the efforts of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development in enhancing job stability for citizens in the labour market and maintaining employment rates to face the challenges imposed by the Corona pandemic. He also reviewed the Ministry’s efforts in supervising the protection of workers in private sector establishments from unjustified and illegal dismissal and layoffs, and protecting workers’ rights and gains. Humaidan praised employers’ confidence in national workers, due to their professional discipline, dedication, and genuine sense of belonging to the establishment. He pointed out that this contributes to enhancing and developing the productivity of institutions and companies, as there are many success stories of establishments that relied on competent national workers in their various production sites, and they have become convinced that the best choice when hiring is for Bahraini citizens. He stressed that one of the Ministry’s priorities is to protect the national workforce in the private sector and confront any attempt to illegally lay them off or infringe upon their rights and employment gains, calling on everyone to unite and cooperate in these exceptional circumstances that the world and Bahrain are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For their part, Al Thawadi and Al Malki praised the remarkable efforts made by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development to preserve citizens working in the private sector, and to undertake many commendable initiatives to preserve jobs in the face of numerous cases of unjustified dismissal and layoffs. They also praised its efforts to provide an umbrella of social protection and a decent standard of living for Bahraini families, and to provide them with all assistance and support in these exceptional circumstances, in implementation of the generous directives of the esteemed government. They emphasised the need to intensify community efforts to overcome this stage, ensuring their rights in line with relevant national legislation, enhancing social protection, and securing a decent living for them. They called for more initiatives aimed at enhancing the stability and growth of the labour market.
MLSD Minister discusses with PM the job stability of citizens in the private sector
08-06-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, met in his office with Member of the Council of Representatives Mr Mamdouh Abbas Al Saleh to review the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to support and stabilise the national workforce and to discuss continued co‑operation between the legislative and executive authorities aimed at bolstering labour‑market growth and strengthening social protection for every segment of society. Humaidan reiterated the esteemed Government’s determination to extend comprehensive support to citizens amid the global Coronavirus (COVID‑19) pandemic, noting that Bahrain’s integrated health, social and economic response measures have earned recognition from both citizens and international organisations. He underscored the importance of joint action to sustain labour‑market stability and commended national companies and institutions for honouring their commitment to preserve Bahraini employment during these exceptional circumstances. The Minister assured MP Al Saleh that the labour market remains stable, emphasising that the Ministry engages directly with establishments to address any issues affecting the fundamental employment rights of national workers and to devise appropriate solutions. He explained that, while the labour market operates according to supply‑and‑demand dynamics, any Bahraini employees released by one establishment will be assisted by the Ministry in securing positions with other companies and institutions. Expressing confidence in Bahrain’s capacity to navigate the current challenges successfully, he highlighted the nation’s growing experience in managing such situations. MP Al Saleh lauded the Ministry’s efforts to uphold job stability for Bahraini citizens in the private sector and to guarantee the full protection of their employment rights. He stressed the necessity of concerted endeavours to sustain labour‑market growth and commended the Ministry’s oversight of health and safety measures at workplaces and in workers’ accommodation, which reinforces precautions against the Coronavirus.
MLSD Minister reviews with PM BuHammoud efforts to ensure the stability of national employment in the private sector
07-06-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, met today, Sunday, in his office with Council of Representatives member Mr Mohammed Khalifa Bu Hamoud. Humaidan briefed Mr Bu Hamoud on the Ministry’s efforts, under the current exceptional circumstances, to safeguard the stability of national employment within private‑sector establishments and to ensure employers’ full implementation of preventive measures against the spread of Coronavirus (COVID‑19), thereby reinforcing workforce protection and safety. He reviewed the positive outcomes achieved through the Ministry’s engagement with institutions and companies that had notified Bahraini employees of forthcoming terminations, outlining the settlements reached and the corrective action taken to address each case. Humaidan affirmed that the Ministry maintains ongoing communication with private‑sector establishments to monitor the status of national workers, secure their job stability and prevent any infringement of their rights, while intensifying measures to mitigate the pandemic’s adverse impact on the labour market. He noted the serious cooperation shown by companies and institutions in retaining Bahraini employees whenever restructuring or workforce reductions are contemplated. Mr Bu Hamoud commended the Ministry’s dedicated efforts to uphold the stability and fundamental rights of Bahraini workers and to shield them from the pandemic’s negative repercussions. He also praised the Ministry’s oversight of employers’ adherence to all prescribed precautionary measures at workplaces and in workers’ accommodation.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Development invites civil society organizations to hold their general assemblies remotely
31-05-2020
Director of the Directorate of Support for Non-Governmental Organisations at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Ms. Najwa Abdul Latif Janahi, affirmed that the Ministry has called on civil society organisations under the Ministry’s umbrella to hold their general assembly meetings remotely on their scheduled dates, in accordance with their bylaws, as part of the ongoing measures to curb the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). She pointed out that this step comes within the framework of ensuring the safety of civil society members, including heads and members of the boards of directors of civil society organisations, and ensuring the continuity of their voluntary, charitable and professional efforts and work under a sound legal status that does not prejudice the performance of these duties. Janahi affirmed that the Ministry of Labour and Social Development has authorised associations to hold general assembly meetings via live videoconferencing, and has also authorised the use of specialised technical systems for remote electronic voting, to vote on the discharge of the board of directors in respect of the financial report, vote on the literary report, and vote in the board of directors’ elections. She pointed out that the use of this technology ensures that a complete record of the elections is retained in the association’s files and may be consulted when needed, as it is deemed among the association’s official documents. The Director of the Non-Government Organizations' Support Directorate explained that the Ministry has begun implementing this approach in cooperation with associations that have the technical capabilities to do so, noting that the Ministry has provided its representatives with all necessary technical capabilities that enable them to participate in general assembly meetings remotely, in order to monitor the meetings in terms of attendance rates, election processes and vote counting. She pointed out that implementing this experiment will overcome many of the obstacles that may confront civil society associations, especially those related to ensuring the integrity of their legal status, represented by holding general assemblies and conducting board elections in accordance with their bylaws.
MLSD Minister stresses the interest in not compromising the living needs of citizens
31-05-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, received His Excellency Dr. Hisham Ahmed Al Asheeri, Member of Parliament, at the Ministry today, Sunday. The meeting considered strengthening cooperation between the executive and legislative branches in labour and social welfare services. During the meeting, Humaidan briefed MP Al Asheeri on the latest developments concerning the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s various initiatives in the fields of labour and social protection for all segments and groups of society, particularly in light of these exceptional circumstances, and without prejudicing their living needs. He also underscored the importance of protecting the labour market system and maintaining its stability, in a manner that serves sustainable development in the Kingdom of Bahrain. For his part, MP Al Asheeri commended the efforts of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development in fulfilling its role of providing comprehensive development services in the fields of labour and social services to various categories and segments of citizens. He emphasised in this context the importance of cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities, given its positive impact in meeting citizens’ needs for the various development services provided by the Ministry to the targeted groups, especially during this period, through its digital platforms and through its centres in all governorates of the Kingdom.
MLSD Minister confirms that occupational health and safety at work sites is one of the most important aspects of community safety
30-05-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, has stressed the importance of employers intensifying their preventive efforts and precautionary measures to protect workers, by adhering to social distancing standards in workplaces and in workers’ accommodation, following all instructions issued by the Ministry of Health and the relevant authorities, and avoiding complacency during this exceptional period, to help limit the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This comes in implementation of the directives of the Coordination Committee, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, may God protect him, and aligns with the application of preventive measures to curb the transmission of COVID-19. In a statement, Humaidan praised the efforts of His Excellency Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, commending the strong cooperation and coordination between the two ministries in adopting precautionary measures and combating the spread of infection in accommodation occupied by expatriate workers. He emphasised that this complements the efforts of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development in enforcing all precautionary measures in accommodation provided by establishments for their workers, under the Ministry’s supervision and monitoring. He further noted that many employers have promptly implemented measures to address this pandemic, particularly in workers’ housing, including the provision of additional accommodation where required to ease overcrowding and lower density. He noted that 8,011 workers had been transferred to new accommodation provided by their establishments, while some companies and institutions had redistributed workers to vacant rooms within the same accommodation. He affirmed that there would be no leniency towards establishments that fail to comply with health and safety requirements, whether in accommodation or at worksites. The Minister also pointed out that the Ministry has formed a specialised team of occupational safety supervisors and engineers to intensify communication with establishments, ensuring the implementation of legal provisions that require the formation of occupational safety and health committees at workplaces and residences, with the aim of achieving the highest levels of worker safety and protection. Humaidan urged private sector establishments to adopt remote working wherever possible, particularly for roles that can be performed from home, in order to reduce the number of workers at worksites while maintaining productivity. He underscored that preventive measures such as wearing face masks, conducting daily temperature checks, and placing sanitisers in visible areas at worksites—especially at entry and exit points—together with administrative measures such as preventing gatherings in confined spaces, maintaining the required distance as set by the relevant health authorities, and avoiding crowding at worksites or in workers’ accommodation, play a decisive role in limiting the spread of COVID-19. As part of its commitment, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development has overseen the sterilisation of 793 workers’ residences, with designated areas allocated for precautionary quarantine. The Ministry also followed up at 1,055 worksites across numerous companies and institutions to ensure regular sterilisation and to emphasise the importance of raising awareness among all categories of workers of methods to prevent infectious diseases, in addition to implementing proactive measures to combat infection in both worksites and workers’ accommodation. To combat the spread of this global pandemic, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development has launched awareness campaigns in cooperation with the National Campaign to Combat the Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Informative publications are being distributed in multiple languages for foreign workers. More than 400,000 awareness booklets and printed materials have been produced, targeting 350,000 foreign workers in various languages. The Ministry has also intensified its communication with employers to reduce the number of workers in employer-provided accommodation, in line with the preventive guidelines on social distancing in workers’ housing, as stipulated in Decision No. (40) of 2014 regarding Requirements and Specifications of Workers' Accommodation, particularly the provision of four square metres of free space for each worker in the rooms in which they reside.
Ministry of Labor and Social Development: Register attendance, book appointments, and view available job opportunities through the website
30-05-2020
The Ministry of Labour and Social Development announced that, starting Monday, 1 June 2020, it will begin enhancing its electronic recruitment procedures after successfully completing the trial period. This will provide jobseekers with the full opportunity to easily access the system, register their attendance, and book an appointment for nominating jobseekers for employment through the Ministry’s website www.mlsd.gov.bh. Jobseekers can log in, register their attendance electronically, and book upcoming appointments. They can also view available employment opportunities at the electronic recruitment fair and nominate themselves for the jobs they desire and that suit them, according to what is available in the Ministry’s vacancy bank. The Ministry clarified in a statement that eligibility for unemployment benefits and compensation requires electronic attendance registration and viewing the available employment opportunities on the Ministry’s website, which exempts jobseekers from personally visiting the Ministry and its employment and training centres. This comes against the backdrop of the precautionary measures and preventive measures taken by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), which come in implementation of the decisions of the Coordination Committee, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, may God protect him, and in a manner that achieves high efficiency in harnessing electronic systems to serve citizens and achieve more justice and transparency in the nomination and employment systems applied in the Ministry. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development called on citizens seeking employment who face difficulties in dealing with the electronic services on the Ministry’s website to call the hotline (80008001) to obtain the necessary facilities and guidance for the employment process, or to visit the Ministry’s employment and training centres in all governorates of the Kingdom of Bahrain. This measure comes in light of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development launching a package of electronic services in the labour field. These services can be accessed by visiting the Ministry’s website (www.mlsd.gov.bh) and completing the required transactions with ease and convenience.
MLSD Minister notes the employers' commitment to pay them on time.. Paying May salaries to citizens working in private sector establishments
28-05-2020
His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, announced that companies and institutions operating in the private sector have commenced disbursing the salaries of their Bahraini employees for the month of May, whose wages were covered by the government. This follows the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO) completing procedures to transfer all amounts into employers’ accounts for the wages of insured national workers. He stressed that the Ministry will immediately address any delays or difficulties in the disbursement process, if any, and requested that any such issues be reported via the designated telephone numbers or email. He called on all establishments to pay salaries on the scheduled dates. The esteemed government's commitment to paying the wages of Bahraini citizens comes in implementation of the royal directives to launch a financial and economic package to support citizens and the private sector. The esteemed government will pay the wages to all Bahrainis working in the private sector and registered with the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO) for the months of April, May and June 2020, during this exceptional period, and to intensify national efforts to limit the effects of the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The payment of wages for Bahrainis during the three months mentioned came in implementation of the text of Law No. 8 of 2020 by adding a new clause numbered 3 to Paragraph (c) of Article 8 of Decree‑Law No. 87 of 2006 regarding unemployment insurance, which stipulates “Payment of wages for insured Bahraini workers under the provisions of the Social Insurance Law promulgated by Legislative Decree No. (24) of 1976 for a period of three months starting from April 2020, up to a maximum amount of their insured salary, taking into consideration Clause (e) of this Article.” The Minister of Labour and Social Development praised the keenness of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the great King of the country, 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 continuous 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 to the private sector to deal with the effects of the current situation and mitigate the social and economic impacts of the repercussions of the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Humaidan affirmed that the government is giving the private sector increased attention and support under these circumstances, given its pivotal economic role in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He noted that paying the salaries of citizens working in the private sector is part of this demonstration of support, while also noting the cooperation of employers and their commitment to paying the salaries of Bahraini employees on time. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development invites citizens to contact it during official working hours on 17873919, 17873918 and 17873913, or via email to insp@mlsd.gov.bh, to report or register any complaint in the event that wages for May 2020 are not received.
Completing of (12,296) online transactions for beneficiaries of unemployment insurance services
26-05-2020
The Director of the Compensation and Unemployment Support Directorate at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Ms Fawzia Saleh Shehab, confirmed that the completion of transactions for citizens and beneficiaries of the services provided remotely by the Ministry in the field of providing unemployment benefits and compensation has been proceeding smoothly and efficiently from the end of March until mid‑May 2020, as health measures were implemented to limit the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), noting that the Compensation and Unemployment Support Directorate team follows up electronically and through direct contact to maintain the smooth flow of all requests from the concerned groups and their remote completion with full quality and efficiency. The Directorate has completed 12,296 electronic transactions for unemployment benefit beneficiaries and unemployment compensation beneficiaries, in addition to issuing lists of eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits and compensation. In addition, the Compensation and Unemployment Support Directorate provided various remote services during the mentioned period, as it registered 823 job seekers for repeated claims in the system to benefit from unemployment benefits. It also registered 176 dismissed people during the mentioned period to benefit from unemployment compensation. It also responded to 6,438 calls in this regard by phone, in addition to receiving 305 grievance forms to obtain unemployment services, answering 498 enquiries through the Tawasul programme, and responding to 4,056 messages via e‑mail. Ms Shehab pointed out that the Ministry’s implementation of preventive and precautionary measures in light of these exceptional circumstances and the completion of public transactions afterward aims primarily to ensure the safety and health of everyone, whether Ministry employees or targeted groups, as all transactions are conducted through the Ministry’s electronic platforms. She pointed out that the Ministry will not hesitate to provide unemployment insurance services despite the circumstances the world is going through due to the virus, as the unemployment insurance system constitutes a social safety net for job seekers or to compensate for unemployment for those dismissed from their jobs, as the system provides reassurance to every worker and serious job seeker by providing financial support during the unemployment period. Shehab concluded her statement by stressing that the Compensation and Unemployment Support Directorate has been working, since the Ministry completed its eServices, to meet all enquiries received by the Directorate from honourable citizens, calling at the same time on all beneficiaries of the Directorate’s services to send any enquiries or comments via the newly created e‑mail addresses on the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s website (www.mlsd.gov.bh), and the targeted groups can fill out the application forms and send them with the required attachments to the Directorate’s e‑mail: cu.reg@mlsd.gov.bh, and for more enquiries, please call the toll‑free hotline 80008001.
MLSD Minister praises Nasser bin Hamad's directives to allocate 5 million dinars to support affected families and citizen
26-05-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, praised the directives of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, National Security Advisor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF), to the Coordination and Follow-up Committee of the “Feena Khair” campaign, concerned with distributing aid, to allocate five million dinars to support needy Bahraini families and citizens affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He stressed that this directive will contribute to alleviating the burden on these citizens, including needy families, productive families and home-based business owners whose businesses were affected by the precautionary measures taken to combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, in addition to uninsured business owners registered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, as well as the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, who have virtual commercial registrations and whose businesses were affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Humaidan said that the Ministry of Labour and Social Development is in direct and continuous contact with the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) to implement the directives of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and ensure the rapid distribution of aid to those who are entitled to it and those affected by the precautionary measures taken to combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Foundation has been provided with lists of affected productive families and uninsured business owners, to be distributed among those benefitting from the directive. In the same context, Humaidan commended the generous directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the great King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, to assist needy families registered with the Royal Humanitarian Foundation and the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, who are affected by the crisis, to alleviate the financial burdens they face during this exceptional situation.
MLSD Minsiter praises volunteers in community service and partnership with official and civil institutions
25-05-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, praised the efforts of volunteers of all ages and interests, appreciating their distinguished and prominent role in serving the community, through effective partnerships with official and civil institutions, whether they are affiliated with civil society organisations or independent individuals. He pointed out the support and assistance they have provided to the efforts of the Kingdom of Bahrain, especially recently within the national efforts to confront the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), and their haste to register to volunteer as soon as the door was opened for volunteers to participate and contribute to supporting national efforts during these exceptional circumstances. In a limited number of hours, more than 30,000 volunteers registered, contributing to many prominent tasks, such as assisting the nursing team in several health sites, in addition to raising awareness among citizens and residents in many locations. They also played a distinguished role in sterilising many work sites, shopping malls, and others, in addition to contributing to helping senior citizens and people with disabilities deliver medicines to their homes, and other things they need in these exceptional circumstances, which made them a source of pride and admiration from all citizens of all categories. Humaidan emphasised that this patriotic and humanitarian behaviour is not new to the people of Bahrain or its residents, as they have always recorded honourable stances over many years. He considered that what they have provided, whether as volunteer organisations or individuals, during the current phase is a rich experience in volunteer work, and confirms the solidarity and cohesion of Bahraini society. At the same time, he called for benefiting from this experience to enhance the professionalism of volunteer work. Humaidan said that humanitarian volunteer work is a hallmark of social development and an indicator of the presence of self‑motivating energies within society capable of giving and growth. Volunteers are a driving force behind the economy, as they contribute to providing a variety of social services in education, training, healthcare, the environment, and services for senior citizens and people with disabilities. On this occasion, His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, stressed that the Kingdom of Bahrain has been rich in humanitarian volunteer work since ancient times. The people of Bahrain were among the first to start organising social charitable work in the Gulf, and the first to take the initiative to organise volunteer work for social, educational, health, environmental and other services. Bahrain is still active in the field of volunteer work, both inside and outside Bahrain. Today, civil volunteer work has become a support and a parallel sector in all its work and services for public and private institutions alike.
ompletion of (269) remote transactions for family counseling services at the Ministry of Labor and Social Development
17-05-2020
As part of the national precautionary efforts and preventive measures to limit the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Family Guidance Offices at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development have worked to reduce the personal presence of beneficiaries of the social centre offices in all governorates of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the maximum extent, by providing family guidance services remotely through the Ministry’s official website (www.mlsd.gov.bh) and its electronic platforms on social media (mlsdbahrain) or by calling the hotline 80008001, so that no transaction is completed in person except in the narrowest limits and for the utmost necessity, while taking the necessary preventive precautions, noting that the Family Guidance Offices provided (269) eServices to citizens during the period from 22 March to the end of April 2020. In this regard, the Director of the Social Welfare Directorate at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Mrs Huda Muhammad Al‑Hamoud, confirmed that the family guidance offices continue to carry out their tasks remotely, and through modern technology, in line with the measures taken in light of these exceptional circumstances, and in a way that ensures the smooth and efficient flow of work, as the offices have provided (48) family consultations since the start of the implementation of precautionary measures against the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and provided family guidance services to (191) cases benefiting from the family care programme, in addition to settling (30) cases to implement family care provisions amicably. Al‑Hamoud pointed out that since the beginning of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Family Guidance Offices have taken a number of initiatives to facilitate transactions for citizens, save time and effort, and preserve their safety and that of the Ministry’s employees, as anyone wishing to obtain services can benefit from the eServices available on the Ministry’s official website without the need to personally visit the social centres. In the same context, she pointed out that these eServices have become of a distinguished level of quality, similar to eServices previously provided by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, stressing that the Ministry is constantly seeking to meet the needs of citizens and encourage them to invest in the Ministry’s digital platforms to benefit from the many services it provides.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Development: 15,529 online transactions for social assistance services have been completed
16-05-2020
Sahar Rashid Al Mannai, Director of the Social Assistance Directorate at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, confirmed that the number of eServices completed by the Ministry in the field of providing social assistance to citizens, which includes social security, financial support, disability allowance, and compensation for house fires, amounted to 15,529 transactions, during the period from 18 March to the end of April 2020. The keenness to complete transactions remotely comes within the framework of ensuring the safety of everyone, including the targeted groups, and ensuring the continuity of financial dues disbursement on time. Al Mannai explained that the Social Assistance Directorate was keen to develop a number of precautionary plans and measures, as one of the measures to implement social distancing to limit the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), as citizens can now safely complete transactions electronically 24 hours a day, noting the possibility of using the services provided by the department on all electronic platforms affiliated with the Ministry, whether through the electronic mail addresses that were created for all social services on the Ministry’s website, and distributed to the concerned employees in all the Ministry’s social centres in all governorates of the Kingdom of Bahrain, or by calling the registration and social services employees via the contact list created in the relevant social centres and shown on the Ministry’s official website, so that citizens can communicate directly with the concerned parties to enquire about the required service. In this context, Al Mannai said that the transactions completed remotely varied between the personal presence of 402 clients, 10,209 phone calls, 4,807 transactions via email, 111 transactions via the Tawasul platform, and 2,339 additional calls via the hotline. She pointed out that the completion of these requests, since the reliance on providing services remotely in light of the current health conditions after mid‑March until the end of April 2020, reflects the extent of the success of the mechanism followed in providing these services electronically, in addition to the Bahraini citizen’s awareness of the importance of electronic communication to complete his transactions with ease and security. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has launched its eServices in the labour and social fields, and many electronic forms for requests to obtain services and an explanation of the mechanism for benefiting from them were broadcast on its website, as shown in all the Ministry’s accounts on the official social networking sites mlsdbahrain. It is also possible to communicate with the registration and social services employees via the new electronic mail addresses on the Ministry of Labour and Social Development website www.mlsd.gov.bh. For further enquiries, you can call the free hotline 80008001.