News
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.
Ministry of Labor and Social Development announces the completion of sterilization of all its buildings and facilities
16-05-2020
In support of national efforts to contain and prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), the Ministry of Labour and Social Development announced that it has completed the sterilisation of the Ministry’s building and all its affiliated centres across the Kingdom of Bahrain. This is part of a series of preventive measures taken to protect the health and safety of all employees and clients, and to prevent them from contracting the virus. As part of its awareness‑raising efforts to promote a healthy and safe work environment, the Ministry has provided its centres, which provide comprehensive employment, training, unemployment insurance, and social care services to various segments of society in all governorates, with copies of sterilisation guidelines, directing them to sterilise their premises correctly and following up to ensure implementation of the guidelines for combating the Coronavirus (COVID‑19) in the workplace. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development is making strenuous efforts to contain and prevent the spread of the virus by expanding precautionary measures to include all employees and visitors, including daily temperature checks and the provision of hand sanitisers and masks at all Ministry facilities and affiliated centres.
MLSD Minister discusses with the American ambassador the strengthening of cooperation in the labor and development fields
14-05-2020
His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, received His Excellency Mr Justin Hicks Siberell, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Bahrain, today, Sunday, at his office at the Ministry. They discussed ways to support and enhance bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries, focusing on common interests in various fields, especially in the labour and development sectors, to serve the interests of both parties. They also reviewed the latest developments in the global economy. Humaidan emphasised the importance of exchanging expertise in developing labour and social protection systems, adding that the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain is continuously working to develop national legislation related to labour and development issues in a manner consistent with international labour conventions and standards, most notably those related to preserving workers' rights and trade union freedoms, providing decent work for citizens, ensuring a sound work environment, and increasing productivity. For his part, Ambassador Siberell highlighted the depth of the strong historical relations between the two countries and the importance of advancing them towards a broader horizon of joint work and coordination. He praised the Kingdom of Bahrain's advanced systems and legislation that guarantee workers' rights and protection in line with international standards, and commended the ongoing social dialogue between the various production parties in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
MLSD Minister meets the Chairman and members of the Board of Directors of the Alumni Club
10-05-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, met in his office at the Ministry with the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Alumni Club, Mr Abdullatif Ahmed Alzayani, in the presence of several members of the club’s Board of Directors. The meeting was held on the occasion of the recent decision of the esteemed Council of Ministers to transfer the affiliation of several clubs, including the Alumni Club, from the umbrella of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs to the Ministry of Labour and Social Development. During the meeting, Alzayani reviewed the club's objectives, activities, efforts and contributions to the cultural and social movement in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and what it intends to implement in the coming period, which contributes to serving the community. He noted the Ministry of Labour and Social Development's support for the club in fulfilling its societal mission, and pointed out the importance of cooperation and joint coordination with the relevant authorities to achieve the goals and objectives that the club seeks to achieve to raise the cultural and literary level in the country. Humaidan commended the role played by the Alumni Club in serving the community, expressing his appreciation for the literary and cultural projects and initiatives implemented by the club to serve and develop members of Bahraini society. He also affirmed the Ministry of Labour and Social Development's continued support for all the club's efforts. He also highlighted the important role of civil society organisations that have contributed and continue to contribute to supporting the social and humanitarian development process in society, driven by a sense of social responsibility. He pointed out that the Ministry is working within an ambitious plan to activate the principle of partnership with civil society institutions, maintain constant communication with them, and provide all types of support that ensure raising and developing their level. He also emphasised the esteemed government's support and continuous backing of all civil society institutions in all fields, and removing obstacles that prevent them from achieving their goals.
Undersecretary Assistant of Labor Affairs meets representatives of Indian associations
05-05-2020
The Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Mr. Ahmed Jaafar Al Hayki, met in his office with Mr.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Development carries out (671) online transactions for private training institutions
03-05-2020
Within the framework of activating the feature of providing government services to citizens remotely, and in implementation of preventive measures and precautionary measures to limit the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Ministry of Labour and Social Development completed (671) various electronic transactions directed to private training institutions, which fall under the supervision of the Ministry, during the period from March 9 to the end of April 2020. The eServices provided by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development to various private training institutions supervised by the Ministry cover a wide range of areas, including requests for training programme licences, trainer licences, certificate certification requests, establishing a private training institution, and following up on requests for new training institutions. They also include receiving requests for the appointment of a director for the training institution or those authorised to sign, renewing the licence of the institute or training centre, or changing its name, in addition to requests for the cancellation of licences for any training institution, and receiving and resolving trainee grievances in coordination with the relevant authorities. In this context, the Director of the Department of Vocational Institutes Affairs at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Mr. Ahmed Jaafar Miftah, said that during the mentioned period, the department renewed and followed up on training licences for (40) establishments, in addition to following up on (16) new licence applications and applications under study, while (20) transactions were completed and followed up on to employ a manager and follow up on institutions practising training without a licence, while the transactions and follow-ups of licensed programmes amounted to (79) transactions, in addition to issuing licences for (21) new trainers, as well as approving (51) certificates, while (40) transactions remained under study, and (400) enquiries were answered remotely related to issuing training licences or licensed programmes or what is related to clarifications on the relevant circulars and decisions. (4) circulars were also sent to private training institutions related to following the Ministry of Health’s instructions in disinfecting and sterilising the training institution’s headquarters and taking the necessary precautions to contribute to limiting the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and urging these institutions to move towards virtual training in order to ensure the continuation of the training process remotely during the training suspension period while ensuring compliance with a set of conditions and directives issued to it in this regard, which ensures the continuation of the process of remote monitoring and follow-up by the Ministry as well as the relevant official bodies such as the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) and the Education and Training Quality Authority. In this context, Mr. Miftah emphasised the importance of adopting this type of training at the current stage, and placing it within future trends that will position the Kingdom of Bahrain as a leader in the field of distance learning and training, based on clear frameworks that guarantee the quality of the training provided. He noted that this approach represents an opportunity to develop vocational training, making the Kingdom a pioneer in the types of future sciences offered within virtual training. Private training institutes and centres can contact the Ministry to obtain licences for training programmes and trainers by visiting the Ministry’s website www.mlsd.gov.bh, by sending requests and enquiries to eid@mlsd.gov.bh or by calling 17873669, 17863902, or 17873710, or the hotline 80008001. Regarding the request to establish a private training institution and follow up on requests for new institutions, please visit the Ministry’s website above, or via email tpi@mlsd.gov.bh, or by calling the following numbers: 17873676, 17873803, 17873934, or through the aforementioned hotline. Among the new eServices recently launched by the Ministry is the possibility for institutions wishing to appoint a new manager, change the ownership or training headquarters, change the name of a training institution, cancel an institution’s licence, or add a new training field. This can be done by logging into the Ministry’s website, via email to tpi@mlsd.gov.bh, or by calling the following phones: 17873803, 17873706, 17873938, or by calling the hotline 80008001. The Institute Affairs Department receives complaints and grievances from trainees from various licensed training institutions, which are resolved in coordination with the relevant authorities. Trainees can file a grievance using the Tawasul website, the Ministry’s website, email tpi@mlsd.gov.bh, call the following numbers: 17873667, 17873934, or 17873731, or call the hotline 80008001.
MLSD Minister word on the occasion of International Workers' Day
03-05-2020
The Kingdom of Bahrain joins the world in commemorating International Workers' Day, which falls on 1 May of each year. The Kingdom of Bahrain has traditionally celebrated this prestigious occasion with the world's countries, marking it as an official holiday due to the international values it represents, in which the international community appreciates the achievements and contributions of the working class to construction and development. History confirms the pivotal and long-standing role of the working class in the triangle of the three parties of production (workers, employers, governments). On this occasion, His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, affirmed the great appreciation of the leadership in the Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by the generous care that Bahraini workers receive from the leader of our comprehensive development journey, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, may God protect and preserve him, and guide his steps on the path of goodness, as His Majesty the King has been keen throughout the previous years to include Bahraini workers under His Majesty’s care and attention, may God protect and preserve him, on all occasions and under all circumstances. Humaidan said that this royal interest is clearly evident in His Majesty the King’s patronage of the annual celebrations held by the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions and the Free Bahrain Trade Union Federation on International Workers’ Day. Through these celebrations, the values of work and production are celebrated, and distinguished elites of Bahrain’s workers are honoured, under a royal patronage that embodies His Majesty the King’s constant appreciation for the effective, persevering and giving national arms, and His Majesty’s wishes, may God protect and preserve him, for further development and prosperity, thanks to the efforts and cooperation of all those loyal to this good land. His Excellency the Minister also noted the keenness of the esteemed government, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, may God protect him, to provide all support to workers and ensure the preservation of their rights and job stability. In this context, he referred to His Highness’s generous gesture on the occasion of International Workers’ Day during the Cabinet session last Monday, in which he praised the achievements of Bahraini workers in the development process and their role in building and developing the nation. He stressed that this gesture truly expresses the full appreciation of workers in various production sites, pointing to the continuous support and assistance that workers receive from His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, may God protect him, who places the development of the labour market at the forefront of national priorities, ensuring the provision of quality and appropriate job opportunities for citizens. On this occasion, Humaidan paid tribute to the dear workers of the Kingdom of Bahrain, who are writing with their hands the epic of prosperity in our beloved country, and lighting the torches of the production movement on this generous land in all circumstances and times, and from various work and production sites, in an epic of giving and loyalty that never dries up or runs out. “This important global occasion comes to us this year as the world faces an exceptional challenge in combating the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), as many global workforces from various locations unite to combat the spread of this virus, whether by standing on the front lines within medical, security and administrative teams responsible for treating existing cases and educating and organising communities to limit the spread of the virus and its repercussions on individuals and societies, or by taking their roles in various work and production sites to maintain production capacity and continue to ensure the provision of basic needs of consumer goods, medical equipment and supplies, and other living needs despite these exceptional, transient circumstances that the entire world is experiencing,” Humaidan said. Humaidan touched on the Kingdom of Bahrain’s efforts in this regard, stressing that Bahrain has once again proven, through the unprecedented measures and steps taken at the global level to deal with this global crisis, that it is, as always, at the forefront of distinguished countries in implementing exceptional initiatives to protect all residents on its soil, especially with regard to providing a safe and sound work environment and preserving workers’ rights without any discrimination. In this context, he praised the directives of His Majesty the King, the great King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, to take a series of economic measures that contribute to the stability and steadiness of the labour market in light of the exceptional circumstances the country is experiencing. These measures included the launch of a financial and economic package worth 4.3 billion Bahraini dinars to confront the repercussions of the global spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) at the local level. These included paying the wages of Bahraini workers in the private sector, who number more than 100,000 insured Bahrainis in the private sector, for a period of three months, allocating two portfolios to support taxi drivers, public transport drivers, buses and coaches, and paying the full salaries of female workers in kindergartens and nurseries for a period of three months, as well as redirecting all Labour Fund (Tamkeen) programmes to support affected companies, which contributes to achieving job stability for the national workforce. Humaidan stressed that the esteemed government has paid increasing attention to strengthening workers’ rights and providing them with a safe and healthy environment. It has adopted precautionary measures to protect workers at workplaces and workers’ housing to limit the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), as part of an integrated government plan in which all relevant authorities participated. He pointed to the intensive efforts made by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development to keep the work environment free from the virus, including communicating with employers to adhere to the instructions issued by the Ministry of Health and other official authorities in the Kingdom, which would protect public health at workplaces and workers’ housing, as well as issuing an administrative circular to all establishments operating in the private sector, which constitutes a procedural guide to prevent this pandemic. Humaidan stressed that despite the intensification of comprehensive national efforts within the Bahraini team to combat this virus, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development continues to implement its strategies and plans aimed at providing job opportunities for citizens, within the framework of the government’s efforts to attract more investments and support the business environment as the primary financier of jobs in the labour market in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He also stressed the need to develop national legislation to keep pace with changes in the labour market, in addition to strengthening the training system to keep pace with developments and to align with the general strategy and ongoing employment plans and programmes, to make Bahraini citizens the best choice for employers when hiring, and to maintain unemployment rates within their natural and reassuring limits. This is achieved through several paths, represented by creating an ideal training infrastructure, in addition to providing many benefits and incentives for employers and job seekers. In conclusion, Humaidan stressed that we, as production parties, are all called upon to work as one team to face various challenges and continue the path of construction and development to achieve more gains and accomplishments for the Kingdom of Bahrain. 1 May is an occasion to affirm the determination of the Kingdom of Bahrain, its leadership, government and people, to continue working and giving to drive the economy with steady steps towards growth and prosperity and overcome all difficulties, in order to achieve prosperity, strength and economic and social security for our dear country, and to preserve its gains and accomplishments at various levels.
MLSD Minister: The flexible work permit does not entitle its holder to open a commercial registry or employ others
01-05-2020
Minister of Labour and Social Development and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, affirmed that the flexible work permit does not entitle its holder to issue a commercial registration, employ others, sponsor workers, or engage in any other practices that require a commercial registration. He emphasised that the flexible permit does not constitute actual competition for citizens' commercial or professional activities. Humaidan said there is renewed misunderstanding regarding flexible work permits (Flexi Permit) and whether they are regular employers operating their business normally, noting the importance of relying on correct understanding and legal text rather than relying on the apparent meaning of the term. He explained that Labour Market Regulatory Authority Law No. 19 of 2006 includes definitions for three categories, namely: Employer: Any natural or juristic person who employs one worker or more to perform a certain job in return of a wage of any kind, fixed or variable, in cash or in kind, which includes any government entity; establishment, public authority, corporation, office, institution or any other private business entities. Worker: Any natural person who works in return of a wage of any kind, fixed or variable, in cash or in kind who works for an employer and under his management or supervision. Foreign Employer: Any natural foreign person who does not fall within the definition of worker according to the provisions of this law and who carries out work in the Kingdom, whether in his own name and on his own account or in the name or on behalf of another. Humaidan said: The legal name for a flexible work permit is a foreign employer who owns a trade or profession and works for himself. It has been given the media name “flexible” to distinguish between the employer and the worker, due to the similarity that may arise between the two terms, and to facilitate its definition to foreigners and the general public. Humaidan emphasised that in official correspondence and communications with the legislative authority, we are obligated to use legal terminology because it is the basis. Experts and interested parties should base their opinions, positions, and visions on a correct understanding and avoid basing their views on superficial understandings. Humaidan reiterated that talk of flexible workers competing with Bahraini traders is unrealistic and has no real basis, and is legally invalid due to the inability of the worker to obtain a commercial registration or to recruit and sponsor workers. He continued: The Flexi Permit is also issued to those who practise non‑specialised professional activities that Bahrainis do not usually seek. Humaidan explained that there is an important point worth noting regarding the benefits of launching the flexible permit, as we can address a number of important points. He pointed out that from an economic perspective, this permit contributes to creating sufficient flexibility for the private sector to use temporary workers to perform some emergency work, which contributes to reducing the need to attract additional workers from abroad to perform exceptional work. There are also other important advantages, some of which can be addressed, including the state's enforcement of the law, the creation of a database, and communication with all workers in the Kingdom by collecting data on flexible and regular workers. Furthermore, it brings illegal workers, who meet the conditions for granting flexible work permits, out of the shadows and into the light. He stressed that issuing the Flexi Permit includes obligating the flexible worker to pay healthcare fees (health insurance), thus sparing society from any diseases that could result from irregular workers not receiving appropriate treatment.
MLSD Minister invites training institutes and centers to go to online training
01-05-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, met in his office at the Ministry's headquarters with the Chairman of the Bahrain Society of Private Training Institutes (BSPTI), Mr Nawaf Mohammed Al‑Jishi, in the presence of the Society's Board of Directors. During the meeting, the efforts of the Bahrain Society of Private Training Institutes (BSPTI) were reviewed to contribute to the advancement of this vital sector and assist private training institutions in overcoming the challenges they face. The meeting also reviewed the programmes and activities planned for the upcoming period and discussed ways to enhance technical cooperation between the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and the Society to achieve their goals and joint contributions, most notably advancing the development of human resources and the national workforce in private sector establishments. Humaidan emphasised the important role played by private training institutes and centres and their contribution to developing the personal capabilities and professional skills of national cadres. He noted in this context that the esteemed government pays special attention to vocational training, which opens up broad prospects for preparing and integrating citizens into various productive sectors of the labour market. He added that the government's strategy in this regard aims to develop and enhance training services in the Kingdom to create an integrated training industry that strengthens Bahrain's position as a regional centre for training and human resources development. In this context, Humaidan called on training institutions to shift towards virtual training and place it within current and future trends, positioning the Kingdom of Bahrain as a leader in the field of distance learning and training, according to clear frameworks that guarantee the quality of training. He noted that this approach represents an opportunity to develop vocational training and ensure the needs of job seekers in various sectors are met. For his part, Al‑Jishi praised the efforts of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and its continuous support for the Bahrain Society of Private Training Institutes (BSPTI) and private training institutions, which contributes to overcoming any difficulties that may face training institutes and centres. In this context, he stressed the BSPTI's full readiness to enhance cooperation with partners, harness joint national efforts to develop training fields, and ensure that private training institutes provide quality training programmes that are internationally accredited and of added value to the trainee, keeping pace with the requirements and developments of the labour market and rapid technological and scientific developments.
Providing (3748) legal labor consultations from March 1 to April 19.. The Ministry of Labor and Social Development completes (438) requests for amicable settlement of labor disputes through the electr
26-04-2020
The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has, since the introduction of preventive and precautionary measures to contain and prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), completed a total of 438 electronic transactions in the labour field. These comprise receiving requests submitted to the Individual Labour Dispute Resolution Authority and issuing determinations on requests for individual amicable settlements or collective labour disputes, in addition to providing labour consultations of all kinds and responding to legal enquiries, as well as auditing the data of trade union organisations via the electronic system or by telephone. These actions contribute to stabilising the labour market, resolving disputes and conflicts in a manner that safeguards the rights of both parties to production, and reducing conflicts and complaints pending before the courts and judicial bodies. In this context, the Director of the Labour Relations, Mai Hassan Al Asmi, stated that during the period from 1 March to 19 April the Ministry received 438 complaints for amicable settlement of individual labour disputes, of which 174 were settled amicably between employers and workers; 132 remain under follow‑up to complete settlement; while 146 requests were archived due to failure to reach an amicable solution. As for collective labour complaints received via the Ministry’s electronic platforms, these totalled only two. The Directorate further indicated that, through its electronic services, the Ministry provided 157 labour consultations and responded to 3,748 legal enquiries from workers and employers, while auditing the data of 120 trade union organisations in the Kingdom of Bahrain. These eServices have responded swiftly to users’ needs and expectations, particularly by facilitating the use of the Ministry’s electronic platforms to obtain the required services with ease. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has launched its electronic services in the labour and social fields on its website to facilitate public access to the services provided. Application forms have been created to be completed and submitted with the required attachments to dedicated email addresses for each service, as indicated on the Ministry’s official social media accounts: follow @mlsdbahrain on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Private training institutes and centres may contact the Ministry to obtain licences for training programmes and trainers by visiting www.mlsd.gov.bh, sending requests and enquiries to alc@mlsd.gov.bh, or calling 17873839, 17873622, or 17873624, or the hotline at 80008001.
The Minister of Labor and Social Development declares: The payment of wages for the month of April to citizens working in private sector establishments
26-04-2020
Based on the royal directives to launch a financial and economic package to support citizens and the private sector to deal with the effects of the current situation and maintain sustainable growth, and the esteemed government’s commitment to pay the wages 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 national efforts to mitigate the effects of the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, announced that companies and institutions operating in the private sector have already begun disbursing wages to their Bahraini employees, and the vast majority of them have received their wages for the month of April with ease and convenience, as the Ministry of Labour is immediately addressing any delays or administrative difficulties, should they occur. In a statement on this occasion, Humaidan praised 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 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 for the private sector to deal with the effects of the current situation and mitigate the social and economic impacts of the consequences of the global Coronavirus pandemic. He explained that all amounts the government had previously transferred to the accounts of companies and institutions had been deposited smoothly, given that the Kingdom of Bahrain possesses an integrated database from which every citizen registered with the SIO benefits. He pointed out that the payment of wages for Bahrainis during the mentioned months comes in implementation of the text of Law No. (8) of 2020 Adding a New Clause No. (3) to Paragraph (c) of Article (8) of Legislative Decree No. (78) of 2006 on 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.” On this occasion, Humaidan expressed his appreciation and gratitude to private‑sector companies and institutions for their cooperation and commitment to disbursing the salaries of Bahraini employees on time. He emphasised that the majority of citizens have already received their wages, and that a few minor complaints have been identified and are currently being followed up and resolved. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has announced the opening of communication channels for concerned citizens to report and register complaints if their establishments have not disbursed their April wages. They can file a complaint during the period in which the government is responsible for paying the salaries for the aforementioned three months by calling the following telephone numbers: 17873919 – 17873918 – 17873913 during official working hours, or by sending the report via email to: insp@mlsd.gov.bh.
MLSD Minister confirms: The initiative of the electronic platform for training NGOs aims to raise their efficiency in financial management
25-04-2020
His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, affirmed that the initiative recently reviewed by the Council of Ministers, regarding an electronic platform for remote training of NGOs to raise their efficiency in financial management, aims to qualify workers in the private sector to obtain a professional certificate specialised in financial management as one of the axes of work under the eighth recommendation of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) concerned with combating the financing of terrorism in the non‑profit sector and protecting it from exploitation. He pointed out that the Ministry launched this initiative to help volunteers and workers in NGOs raise their efficiency in the field of financial management so that they are able to achieve their development goals in a comprehensive manner. Humaidan said that this initiative is the first of its kind to employ electronic technology in training NGOs. It targets at least 400 volunteers from civil society organisations in a professional training programme, prepared by specialised entities in financial management and accredited by a specialised Bahraini scientific authority. Through this programme, a series of successive training programmes will be made available over several months via the electronic platform, and trainees will be able to review the training material according to their available time, with the possibility of taking a test at the end of each course. They will then receive the evaluation results electronically so that they can move on to the next training course. In this context, the Minister of Labour and Social Development explained that the initiative targets members of the boards of directors of NGOs, members of general assemblies, university students interested in volunteer work, volunteers affiliated with the Ministry's Volunteer Development Centre, and others, as well as bank employees and those specialising in dealing with civil society organisations. Humaidan also emphasised that this initiative reflects a practical translation of a partnership and cooperation programme with various civil and private entities in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He explained that the programme relied on various sources of financial, human and material support from governmental and civil entities for its funding, making them an important part of the electronic platform programme. He pointed out that the most important partners in the electronic initiative are: the Institute of Public Administration (IPA), the strategic partner in building the electronic platform and activating the electronic channel for remote training of NGOs (LMS), in addition to the Abdul Rahim Al Kooheji Charitable Foundation, the main supporter of the platform, which provided the expertise of “Talal Abu‑Ghazaleh” to develop, review and audit the scientific material. The Foundation also covered other costs for managing the project programmes. It is worth noting that the Non‑Government Organisations (NGOs) Support Directorate at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development oversees the implementation of the platform programme. To implement this programme, it has designed a systematic work structure and clearly defined responsibilities to ensure its professional and distinctive operation. It has also established a process for registration, accreditation, follow‑up and correction. Regarding the partners in the electronic initiative, Humaidan added that the Applied Science University contributed to reviewing the academic materials and cooperating in implementing the training modules, in addition to approving the training modules from university professors and amending the final exams for the training modules. The university also contributed to the linguistic correction of the legal modules, in addition to video‑recording the previously prepared accounting materials. He added that the partner NGOs cooperating in the programme also contributed. The initiative relied on the principle of “networking between NGOs,” which is a constant principle that the Ministry works to employ in its various pioneering programmes. This was done in cooperation with the Bahrain Internal Auditors Association (BIAA), which contributed to preparing the accounting material, the Accountants and Auditors Association, which contributed to preparing the accounting material, as well as the Good Word Society, and volunteer guides throughout the year to follow up with the trainees. The training programme comprises 12 units, delivered at one unit per month. Trainees must log in to the electronic platform to participate and acquire the necessary skills. The curriculum includes approved methods of delivery and assessment, as well as success criteria. In total, the programme comprises 100 approved hours. The training programme includes an introduction to the procedures for the elections of the general assembly of NGOs, an introduction to Decree‑Law No. (21) of 2013 regarding the regulation of collecting money for public purposes, how to obtain licences to collect funds, transfer or receive funds to or from abroad, how to prepare the accounting records that must be available in the organisation, the mechanism of receipt and disbursement in the organisation, the documentary cycle for such organisations and accounting principles, and how to prepare bank settlements, final accounts, and the estimated budget. Working committees have been formed for these tasks, including the Scientific Committee to follow up on the uploading of the scientific material, exams, and the self‑ and final evaluation of the trainees on the specified dates, the Correction and Examination Committee, and the Results and Certificates Accreditation Committee. A guide for trainees has also been prepared, including the platform’s work system, the objectives and duration of the training programme, the training materials, the time period, and the timing of the monthly exams. This guide has been displayed on the platform’s website and the Ministry’s official website. A training agreement has also been prepared for trainees registered by civil society organisations, outlining the trainee’s rights and obligations, as well as the obligations of the organisation nominating him for the programme. In this context, the Minister of Labour and Social Development emphasised that the initiative of the electronic platform for training NGOs falls within the framework of emphasising the importance of developing and enhancing the competencies of those working in civil society organisations, in order to provide them with the necessary skills for their work, with the aim of enhancing their efficiency and ensuring their continued engagement within a framework of permanent self‑governance. This supports the public‑benefit nature of these organisations, which in turn reflects goodness and development on the nation and its citizens.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Development organizes online workshop to educate workers about preventive measures to combat (Covid-19)
24-04-2020
The Ministry of Labour and Social Development organised a virtual workshop via live videoconference, with the participation of employers and workers, on worker safety and protection. The workshop discussed and reviewed the precautionary and preventive efforts and measures provided by the Ministry to companies and institutions in the private sector, to raise awareness among workers and employers of the prevention of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19) pandemic. It also reviewed the latest measures and developments adopted by the Ministry in this regard. This workshop forms part of a series of virtual meetings held remotely, aimed at raising awareness among employers and workers about the importance of strengthening preventive and precautionary measures to ensure everyone’s safety. On this occasion, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Jaafar Al Hayki, stated that organising this workshop falls within the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s efforts to enhance the concept and culture of preventive awareness of workers’ safety and health in the workplace, and stems from the Ministry’s supervisory, legislative and awareness‑raising role amid the exceptional circumstances that the Kingdom and the world are experiencing to combat the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19). In this context, he stressed the importance of concerted efforts between the three parties of production to achieve the highest levels of safety and protection in workplaces and workers’ accommodation. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development launched an inspection campaign to raise awareness among workers and employers across various worksites. The Ministry followed up on the establishments’ sterilisation of 593 workers’ accommodation, with a special area allocated for precautionary quarantine in these accommodations. The Ministry also communicated with 537 worksites in many companies and institutions to ensure their continuous sterilisation, in addition to visiting a wide segment of establishments and worksites to inform them of the methods of sterilising worksites and workers’ accommodation, and of the preventive and precautionary measures to be taken. Many employers and workers demonstrated remarkable cooperation to raise the level of safety, protection and health arrangements within worksites and workers’ accommodation.
MLSD Minister:: Opening communication channels to receive citizens' reports that they have not received the month of April's salary
23-04-2020
His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, announced that the Ministry has opened communication channels with citizens working in private‑sector establishments and registered with the Social Insurance Organization (SIO), to report and register complaints in the event that their establishments have not disbursed their April salaries, as scheduled after the esteemed government pledged to pay citizens’ wages for the months of April, May and June 2020. He stressed that legal action will be taken against companies and institutions that fail to pay salaries to citizens. Concerned citizens can file a complaint about not receiving their salaries during the three‑month period in which the government is responsible for paying wages, by calling the following numbers: 17873919 – 17873918 – 17873913 during official working hours, or by sending the report via email to: insp@mlsd.gov.bh. In this context, Minister Humaidan urged employers whose citizens’ salaries have been transferred to commit to disbursing them on time each month. He pointed out that the goal of government support for the private sector is to contribute to limiting the repercussions of the current situation and mitigating the social and economic impacts of the global Coronavirus (COVID‑19) pandemic on the economic and commercial sectors. This includes ensuring that the basic rights of the national workforce are not compromised, ensuring their job stability, and enhancing the role of the private sector in supporting the national economy. His Excellency, the Minister of Labour and Social Development, pointed out that the esteemed government transferred the salaries of citizens working in the private sector to the accounts of employers on 16 April, in accordance with the records with the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO). He noted that these salaries will be paid from savings from the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
The Minister of Labor and Social Development stresses the importance of the commitment to collecting and distributing zakat al-Fitr through electronic platforms and applications
23-04-2020
His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, stressed that, in implementation of 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 recommendations of the National Medical Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), and in order to preserve the health and safety of all during the holy month of Ramadan, all civil society organisations and charitable societies must commit to not holding Iftar tables in public places, ensuring that Iftar tables are not distributed on the streets, and replacing Zakat Al Fitr collection and distribution booths with electronic platforms and applications only, so that these donations are received and distributed to those entitled to them through the same electronic methods. Humaidan stated that the esteemed government has great confidence in the awareness and commitment of all civil society organisations, and emphasised his aspiration for everyone's cooperation to preserve the health and safety of citizens and residents during the holy month of Ramadan. He emphasised that these precautionary measures were implemented based on the recommendations of the National Medical Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID‑19). In this context, Humaidan pointed out that the Ministry of Labour and Social Development has taken numerous measures to ensure that NGOs obtain licences to collect funds electronically since 2017. This is part of ongoing efforts to facilitate licensing procedures and regulate the collection of funds and donations for civil society organisations. This includes activating the electronic payment service for many civil society organisations, specifically charitable ones, to facilitate the process of electronic cash donations without harming any community groups benefiting from donations during the holy month. It is worth noting that His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, had approved electronic payments as a means of collecting and distributing donations to those entitled to them since 2017, in coordination with the Central Bank of Bahrain and relevant financial and banking companies. This decision came in compliance with the eighth recommendation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which stipulates that measures must be taken to protect organisations from exploitation in the field of money laundering and terrorist financing.
Sterilization of more than 1,100 work sites and workers housing.. Humaidan directs establishments to intensify their preventive efforts at work sites and workers' housing Community Verified icon
21-04-2020
His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, affirmed that, in implementation of the directives 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 in light of the application of preventive and precautionary measures to limit the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), the Ministry has intensified efforts to monitor private‑sector establishments and to determine the extent of their compliance with all official instructions during this exceptional period, in order to enhance occupational safety and health at workplaces. In this context, Humaidan urged business owners to intensify their preventive efforts and precautionary measures to ensure the protection of workers by reducing the number of workers at workplaces and in vehicles used to transport workers, and by adhering to social distancing standards in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s instructions. He stressed that there will be no leniency with establishments that do not adhere to ensuring the safety and health of workers. He pointed out that the Ministry of Labour and Social Development has formed a specialised team comprising occupational safety supervisors and engineers, with the aim of intensifying communication with various establishments to ensure implementation of the legal provision requiring the establishment of occupational safety and health committees at workplaces. Establishments have been contacted regarding measures taken to combat the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), including wearing face masks and applying health standards in facilities, rest areas and other areas. His Excellency the Minister, Humaidan, stated that the Ministry followed up on the sterilisation of 593 workers’ accommodation, with a special area allocated for precautionary quarantine in these accommodations. The Ministry also communicated with 537 worksites in many companies and institutions to ensure their continuous sterilisation. In this context, he praised establishments committed to these procedures and emphasised the need to raise awareness among all workers about preventing infectious and contagious diseases. He highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to implementing proactive measures that combat infection in both workspaces and workers' accommodations. Humaidan also urged private‑sector establishments to activate work‑from‑home as much as possible, especially for jobs that can be managed from home, in order to reduce the number of workers at worksites while ensuring that the production process is not affected within the establishment. He stressed that the presence of preventive measures such as daily temperature checks and the placement of sterilisation devices in visible areas at worksites, primarily upon entering and exiting the site, in addition to administrative measures such as preventing workers from gathering in limited areas and adhering to the required distance established by the relevant health authorities between workers, as well as preventing crowding at the worksite or workers’ accommodation, contribute effectively to limiting the spread of the virus. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has prepared awareness campaigns in cooperation with the National Campaign to Combat the Spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19) by distributing a set of guidance publications in multiple languages to foreign workers. More than 300,000 written and printed awareness publications have been produced, targeting 350,000 foreign workers in various languages. The Ministry has intensified communication with employers during the recent period with the aim of reducing the number of workers in the housing provided by the employer, in implementation of the preventive guidelines for social distancing in workers’ accommodation, in accordance with Decision No. (40) of 2014 regarding Requirements and Specifications of Workers' Accommodation, especially with regard to providing four square metres of free space for each worker in the rooms in which the workers reside.
MLSD Minister meets the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations on the occasion of the end of his tenure in Bahrain
19-04-2020
His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, received today, Sunday, at his office at the Ministry, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mr. Amin Al Sharkawi, on the occasion of the end of his tenure in the Kingdom. During the meeting, Humaidan praised the efforts made by Mr. Amin Al Sharkawi during his tenure in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which contributed to developing the relations of cooperation and friendship between the Kingdom and the United Nations and its affiliated bodies and organisations, and elevating them to broader horizons, leading to a qualitative and distinguished partnership. He also noted Al Sharkawi’s efforts to enhance cooperation between the United Nations and various governmental and private entities and civil society in Bahrain, which contributed to consolidating the foundations of a comprehensive and growing partnership. His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development emphasised the effective partnership between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Nations and its affiliated organisations in terms of visions and goals to ensure a safe and stable life for all and secure a more prosperous future through the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the support of creative initiatives in this regard, particularly those related to the areas of work, employment, human resources training, development, and social care. For his part, Al Sharkawi expressed his deep thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain, its leadership, government, people, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Development team, appreciating the cooperation the Kingdom has shown with the United Nations and its various specialised agencies and bodies in order to achieve the desired goals. He stressed that the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country's great king, may God protect and preserve him, has set an international model to be emulated in development and tolerance, and that he is confident that this advanced level of positive relations will be harnessed and strengthened thanks to the generous directives of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain. He praised Bahrain’s approach to combating and preventing the spread of the Coronavirus, which has swept the world, by taking many initiatives and proactive measures to protect individuals, both citizens and residents alike, thus making the Kingdom’s experience an example to be emulated in such exceptional and emergency circumstances.