News
On the occasion of the 45th Arab Deaf Week .. MLSD Minister: Translating the capabilities and energies of people with hearing disabilities to participate in the renaissance of Bahrain
18-04-2020
The Kingdom of Bahrain joins the Arab community in the annual celebration of Arab Deaf Week, now in its 45th session, under the slogan “The Right of the Deaf to an Easy Marriage Supported by Social Institutions.” The last week of April each year has been designated to raise awareness of persons with hearing disabilities in society, pursuant to the recommendations of the Second Conference of the Arab Federation of Deaf Organizations, held in Damascus in April 1974, with the aim of raising awareness of the rights and capabilities of the deaf, ways to prevent this disability, and the means of caring for them, rehabilitating them and communicating with them, in addition to highlighting their fundamental rights—educational, psychological, social, economic and cultural—and strengthening efforts to empower persons with hearing disabilities and the hearing‑impaired, together with the concerned civil society organisations, to play an effective and positive role in comprehensive and sustainable social and economic development. On this occasion, His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, affirmed that persons with hearing disabilities in the Kingdom of Bahrain enjoy great attention from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country's great king, may God protect and preserve him, and from the esteemed government headed by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, together with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, may God protect them. He noted the solidarity and cooperation of all those concerned with providing services—rehabilitation, care and social—by opening new horizons for them and supporting them to carry out projects compatible with their capabilities, and by enabling participation in existing projects so that they can continue their journey in life and contribute to building their country, especially as they possess excellent capabilities and energies that can be utilised in various fields and sectors. The Kingdom of Bahrain has paid great attention to persons with disabilities, reflected in its tireless efforts and constant attention to this group, with the aim of promoting education and awareness of disability issues, which are a shared responsibility borne by all ministries and agencies in the Kingdom, as well as by civil society organisations and institutions. Humaidan pointed out that the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, in cooperation with its partners in the public, private and civil sectors, has been able to integrate persons with hearing disabilities into mainstream education and to engage positively in society, considering that the integration process is an issue with social dimensions. In this regard, he pointed to cooperation with the Ministry of Education to fully and comprehensively integrate this group into an educational environment equal to their peers, by enrolling them in classes at various levels of study, reinforced by the efforts of parents and acceptance from others—individuals and groups—until this plan became a tangible reality, placing Bahrain among the countries with pioneering and successful experiences in integrating persons with disabilities into society. In implementation of what was stated in Article (30) of the General Principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which Bahrain ratified in 2011, stipulating the right of persons with disabilities to participate in cultural and educational life, and in recreational and sports activities, the Ministry was able to discern the capabilities and creativity of this group, who were able to challenge the world of silence to enter the world of work and public life, and to prove that their affliction with this disability does not prevent them from highlighting these energies and contributing positively to the development of society. This is what we seek to achieve by providing quality services to persons with hearing disabilities, through the Shaikhan Al Farsi Centre for Comprehensive Speech, which is a centre specialised in the rehabilitation and education of persons with hearing disabilities, and enabling them to complete the basic educational competencies in the early stages and develop them in a way that facilitates their later integration into the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has focused on qualification, training and employment for persons with hearing disabilities in job specialities that suit the nature of their disabilities. The Ministry's “You Are Not Alone” Centre collaborates with employers to facilitate their access to various job opportunities and provides follow-up support after employment. In addition, a group of deaf persons have joined productive family projects. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development also provides a disability allowance to 1,940 persons with hearing disabilities. In 2019, it provided hearing aids to 60 beneficiaries. It also offers free driving training and a range of other services, delivered in collaboration with the private sector, including discounts for holders of disability cards issued by the Ministry to all persons with disabilities.
MLSD Minister discusses with MPs Ishaqi and Abbasi the ministry's initiatives to enhance the labor field and community development
16-04-2020
His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, today, Thursday, in his office at the Ministry building, discussed with His Excellency MP Ali Mohammed Ishaqi and His Excellency MP Mohammed Issa Al Abbasi ways to enhance joint cooperation with the Council of Representatives to serve the fields and projects of labour and social development, and to provide the best services to citizens. The meeting addressed several labour and social issues, which will enhance cooperation and coordination between the executive and legislative authorities, in an effort to continue the development and social progress in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In this context, Humaidan praised the Council of Representatives’ role in supporting legislation related to the Ministry's work, welcoming proposals and initiatives that enhance development and labour aspects for individuals and all segments of Bahraini society, especially those associated with the current circumstances. For their part, MPs Ishaqi and Al Abbasi commended the Ministry of Labour and Social Development's efforts to provide numerous development services in the areas of labour and social services, stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities, given its positive impact on the interests of all segments of society and the provision of a decent living.
MLSD Minister participates in the meeting of the labor ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries via video conference
15-04-2020
His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, participated today, Wednesday, in the extraordinary meeting of the Labour Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), via live videoconference technology. The meeting reviewed precautionary measures and procedures to curb the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19) and to limit its impact on private‑sector establishments in the GCC countries. The GCC Labour Ministers emphasised the importance of developing a vision for national cadres in the private sector in the GCC countries, and discussing ways to ensure their protection and continuity in the labour market without being affected by the repercussions of this pandemic, which, God willing, will pass. This will be achieved by adopting a package of precautionary measures, and by providing support and assistance from governments and private‑sector establishments to these national cadres, considering them the true wealth and the fundamental pillar upon which the GCC countries rely to achieve sustainable development. The ministers also reviewed the measures taken by the GCC countries within the framework of implementing the necessary precautions in cooperation with other sectors to protect the national and expatriate workforce from the virus. The Gulf ministers praised the tireless efforts and proactive initiatives undertaken by the Kingdom of Bahrain in this regard, and the many practical steps it has taken to confront the repercussions of this virus on the labour market. In this context, His Excellency the Minister, Humaidan, reviewed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s efforts to combat this pandemic through numerous measures and initiatives to support citizens and the private sector. In accordance with the royal directives, a financial package worth 4.3 billion Bahraini dinars was launched to address the repercussions of the global spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19) at the local level, thus preserving the health and safety of citizens and residents, in parallel with the continuation of the state’s programmes and work to achieve sustainable development efforts for the benefit of citizens. This includes paying the wages of national workers in companies and institutions in the private sector for a period of three months starting from this April. He also touched on the precautionary measures and procedures taken by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development at workplaces and workers’ accommodation, in cooperation with private‑sector institutions, to ensure the health and safety of workers. This is achieved by implementing effective measures to prevent the spread of the virus among workers, including tightening control and regulatory procedures in their accommodation and living areas. He pointed to the Ministry’s proactive initiative to hold meetings with representatives of embassies and diplomatic missions of labour‑exporting countries in the Kingdom of Bahrain and inform them of the required preventive and precautionary measures to preserve the safety and health of all. His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, before the Ministers of Labour of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, stressed the importance of joint coordination among the Gulf countries to overcome this phase in a way that does not affect development projects in the member states and ensures the stability of the Gulf labour markets. He underscored the need to benefit from the successful experiences of our countries in confronting this pandemic, in addition to coordinating positions among the member states in international labour forums, especially by highlighting the efforts made by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to preserve the health and safety of national and expatriate workers.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Development and the Ministry of Youth sign a memorandum of understanding for electronic cooperation
14-04-2020
In implementation of the Cabinet decision during its session held on 23 March 2020, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, and within the framework of the support of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the King's Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, National Security Advisor, and President of the General Sports Authority, to implement these directives, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding under which the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs will use the electronic system in place at the Directorate of NGOs at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development. The memorandum was signed by His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, and the Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs, His Excellency Mr. Ayman Bin Tawfiq Al Moayed, on Tuesday, in the presence of a number of officials from both ministries, in the main hall of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development building. The memorandum stipulates coordination between the two parties in order for the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs to use the electronic system for civil society organisations, in effect at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development. The latter also provides the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs with all the necessary information to activate the system in the best possible way for the purpose of carrying out financial and administrative oversight procedures on national clubs and youth empowerment centres through the aforementioned electronic system, to ensure that procedures are implemented optimally in accordance with the provisions of the Law of Associations, Clubs, Cultural and Private Bodies Working in the Field of Youth and Sports and Private Institutions issued by Decree Law No. (21) of 1989 and its amendments. The agreement stipulates that the Ministry of Labour and Social Development will receive applications from clubs and youth empowerment centres, managing the electronic system from a technical and security perspective. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs will oversee all applications from national clubs and youth empowerment centres within the electronic system. In a statement on this occasion, Humaidan stressed that the signing of this memorandum comes within the framework of joint efforts between various ministries and government bodies to enhance coordination between them, pointing out that the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, under this agreement, will receive all applications from national clubs and youth empowerment centres in the electronic system for NGOs and transfer them to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs, provided that they are closed within specific periods to ensure that transactions are not delayed, according to the mechanism and timeframes that will be agreed upon between specialists from both parties, and that the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs will follow up on the requests of clubs and youth empowerment centres. Humaidan pointed out that the Ministry of Labour and Social Development will manage the system technically, ensuring the protection of all relevant information, documents, decisions, and any information related to national clubs and youth empowerment centres. He emphasised the Ministry of Labour and Social Development's readiness to provide additional services to relevant government agencies, aiming to enhance cooperation and coordination. This is part of raising the level of cooperation and coordination to achieve the public interest and improve services to the development and youth sectors, utilising the latest electronic systems. For his part, His Excellency the Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs praised the positive role played by the Minister of Labour and Social Development and his achievement of a great degree of cooperation between the two sides to ensure the continued development of the youth and sports movement in the Kingdom. He pointed out that the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs decided to benefit from the electronic system for civil society organisations and apply it to national clubs and youth empowerment centres, as it will contribute to supporting the Ministry’s orientations towards electronic transformation in all its services, and that the system will expedite the submission of applications and their completion as required, in addition to saving time and effort. His Excellency Mr. Ayman Bin Tawfiq Al Moayed stated that the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs seeks to benefit from the expertise of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development in this field, as it has pioneering experience. This experience, which extends over many years, can be drawn upon, especially since the system will enable the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs to follow up on requests from clubs and youth empowerment centres, and increase the scope of financial and administrative oversight procedures for national clubs and youth empowerment centres through the electronic system, which will contribute to the development of the administrative and financial system in clubs and youth empowerment centres.
The Minister of Labor and Social Development issues an administrative circular to employers and workers to commit to implementing measures to combat the spread of (Covid-19) at work sites and workers’
13-04-2020
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 decision of His Excellency the Minister of Interior No. (59) of 2020 obligating those visiting public places and industrial and commercial establishments to wear protective face masks, and as a continuation of the precautionary measures against the Coronavirus (COVID‑19) to preserve the safety and health of workers and those present at worksites and to limit the spread of the virus, His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, issued an administrative circular to private‑sector establishments (employers and workers) regarding combating and preventing the spread of this disease at worksites and workers’ housing in private‑sector establishments, to be implemented by employers from 13 April 2020 until further notice. The circular issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development to all private‑sector establishments, companies and institutions emphasises that both parties to production must implement directives issued by the Ministry of Health to protect public health. It also emphasises the responsibility of employers to protect all workers and individuals present at workplaces and workers’ accommodation from the risks of the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19). The administrative circular obliges private‑sector employers to provide protective face masks and requires all workers to wear them at worksites to limit the spread of infection among workers. It also emphasises the responsibility of employers to prevent individuals from entering the facility or worksite before ensuring they are wearing protective face masks. The administrative circular stressed that employers or their authorised representatives must measure the temperature of all workers upon entering worksites, upon leaving during work, and upon leaving their designated residences, noting that if any rise in temperature is detected for any of the workers, then the employer or his representative must immediately isolate the worker and call 444 to verify the detected condition and refer the worker to obtain the necessary medical care. The circular also directed companies and institutions to reduce the number of workers at worksites, particularly in break rooms, waiting rooms and changing rooms, as well as in vehicles used to transport workers within the facility and to and from worksites. To enhance social distancing measures and limit contact in the workplace, the Minister emphasised the importance of implementing a work‑from‑home policy for male and female employees at workplaces whenever practical, particularly for working mothers in private‑sector establishments. The administrative circular devoted a special section to the precautions and requirements that must be observed in workers’ housing, due to its great importance and direct impact on the health and safety of residents and society in general. The circular urged employers to reduce the number of workers present in one room in workers’ housing, and to increase the space allocated to each worker to the maximum extent possible, so that social distancing is achieved between workers by maintaining a safe distance between them, with no less than two metres between workers. It is worth noting that according to the first clause of Article (3) of Decision No. (40) of 2014 regarding Requirements and Specifications of Workers' Accommodation, the space allocated to each worker must not be less than four square metres of free space in the rooms allocated to workers’ housing. This is a clear indication that occupational safety and health legislation in the Kingdom of Bahrain is consistent with the foundations and principles necessary to combat infection and provide the essential protection for workers in the housing allocated to them. In addition, establishments must prohibit inter‑employer visits between workers’ housing units. Employers that provide accommodation are also directed to reserve separate buildings capable of housing at least ten per cent of their workforce for precautionary quarantine, which is in line with Public Health Department guidelines for establishments employing more than 50 workers. He concluded by stressing that employers—or their authorised representatives—must monitor adherence to these precautionary measures and impose deterrent penalties on violators, thereby protecting the well‑being of all labour‑market participants and society at large. In this context, the Minister emphasised his appreciation for the high national sense of duty enjoyed by employers and partners in the labour market, and the cooperation and coordination they are demonstrating with the Ministry and relevant official bodies within the framework of national efforts to confront this exceptional circumstance. He pointed out that the commitment of establishments to implementing the decisions of the Coordination Committee and the decisions issued by the National Campaign to Combat the Spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19) is of great importance and has broad repercussions on the safety and health of workers and all members of society, and reinforces the official efforts taken at the national level to combat this epidemic.
Depositing compensation amounts for lifting meat subsidies, April 15th
13-04-2020
The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has completed the transfer of quarterly compensation for the removal of meat subsidies into the bank accounts of eligible citizens for the months of July, August, and September 2020. The Ministry stated that these amounts will be deposited into citizens’ bank accounts on 15 October 2020, as part of the initiative to unify the date of disbursement of government support programmes, noting that the total number of families benefiting from the compensation amount in this payment is 167,077 Bahraini families, with a total amount of 7,086,501 Bahraini dinars. These payments are disbursed under the meat‑subsidy allocation mechanism for Bahraini citizens, as established by the Cabinet decision of May 2015 regarding its implementation.
MLSD Minister discusses with MP the benefit of a number of families from social assistance systems
12-04-2020
His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, discussed in his office at the Ministry with His Excellency MP Mahmoud Makki Al Bahrani the Ministry's most important projects and initiatives that meet citizens' needs for numerous development services provided to various segments and categories of society. In this context, Al Bahrani reviewed the need of the residents of the Western Region to establish a social centre to serve the region's residents, in addition to discussing proposals to ensure that a number of families benefit from social assistance systems in accordance with the requirements and standards. The meeting also addressed ways to enhance the provision of quality services in the field of qualifying and training jobseekers and integrating them into quality jobs in the private sector. In this context, Humaidan affirmed that the Ministry will spare no effort in monitoring and meeting citizens' development needs, appreciating the role of the Council of Representatives in supporting legislation related to the Ministry’s mandate, and commending, in this context, parliamentary proposals that enhance labour and social aspects.
New social development centers in Budaiya, Jid Hafs and the cities of Isa Town, Hamad Town and Aali
11-04-2020
In light of the Cabinet’s follow‑up, during its session held on 30 March 2020, of the progress of projects currently being implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development to achieve the goals and pillars of the government’s programme in the field of development and social care, and within the framework of following up on the implementation of these projects that meet the needs of society in various cities and villages of Bahrain, His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, affirmed that the pace of establishing social facilities is proceeding in accordance with the goals and pillars included in the Government’s Action Programme for 2019–2022, aimed at meeting the development needs in the governorates of the Kingdom of Bahrain. In this context, Humaidan affirmed that work is underway to implement five construction projects that provide various services to serve different segments of society, in cooperation with the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning. These projects are: a comprehensive social centre in Budaiya, a day club for parents in Jidhafs, a comprehensive disability complex in A'ali, a social care complex in Hamad Town, and a social services complex in Isa Town. These projects, which were launched earlier, aim to meet the needs of citizens in various cities and villages, and to improve the quality and level of services provided by the government to citizens, particularly Persons with Disabilities (People of Determination) and senior citizens, as well as to meet the needs of families in terms of various forms of assistance, care, and social rehabilitation services. In this context, Humaidan explained that the Al Budaiya Comprehensive Social Centre, which has a total cost of approximately 1.4 million Bahraini dinars, aims to provide protection, developmental and social care services to the residents of the Northern Governorate, in the villages of Al Budaiya, Diraz, Bani Jamra, Barbar, Al Qaryah, Saar, Maqaba, Al Markh, Jannusan, Abu Saiba'a, Al Maqsha, Al Shakhura, Karranah, Al Hajar and Al Qadam. It provides various social assistance services, family counselling, and the implementation of judicial rulings to receive the children of divorced men and women, in addition to monitoring all the needs of the Bahraini family through comprehensive field social research. The Al Budaiya Comprehensive Centre will also receive jobseekers through the Employment Office, which handles recruitment and training in private sector establishments. Its mission is to rely on career guidance and counselling, as well as coordination between the Ministry, human resources departments in private institutions and companies, and the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), with the aim of providing jobseekers with the skills necessary for various jobs required by the private sector. The Al Budaiya Comprehensive Social Centre, which has a daily capacity of 550 citizens, offers family development programmes as part of the Khatwa for Productive Families Projects, which aims to support and develop home‑based family projects through training, appropriate funding, and specialised services such as marketing and management, as well as providing production units, design, and innovation for product development. This will enable families to be self‑reliant and open the way for them to enter the labour market and increase their personal income. It also implements cultural, awareness, volunteer, and social activities and programmes through community partnerships with civil society institutions and the private sector. This comprehensive centre includes a daytime social club for senior citizens, providing care, health, social, psychological, recreational, and educational services for this group within residential neighbourhoods. This aims to keep them close to their families and social environment, thus deepening communication between them and members of society. Another club is dedicated to children and youth, offering services in the field of childhood development through the implementation of projects and programmes that foster and enhance the creativity of children and youth in the cultural, educational, social, and recreational fields. In view of the desire of the people of the Jidhafs area and the neighbouring villages to have a day club that serves the elderly people of the area, Humaidan affirmed the establishment of the Jidhafs Day Club for parents in the Jidhafs Social Centre, on an area of (650) square metres, with a capacity of more than (100) elderly men and women, as the design idea was characterised by simplicity and modernity, in addition to taking into account the ease of communication and movement between the centre’s facilities, at a total cost of 343 thousand Bahraini dinars, and it is expected that the project will be received during the second quarter of this year after the completion of the construction currently underway. Regarding the services provided by the Kingdom of Bahrain to People of Determination, His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development affirmed that the comprehensive disability complex project in A'ali in the Northern Governorate is nearing completion. It is considered one of the largest complexes and specialised centres serving People of Determination in the Middle East. It aims to provide care and rehabilitation for People of Determination in the Kingdom of Bahrain of all ages and genders, enabling them to integrate into society through empowerment and skill development, ensuring a quality of life for them, and achieving the principle of equal opportunities among all segments of society, and effective participation in the comprehensive development process. The esteemed government has allocated a plot of land for the construction of the complex, with an area of approximately 20,106 square metres, with construction taking place on a total area of 17,642 square metres, at a total cost of 8,680,000 (eight million six hundred and eighty thousand dinars), within the Gulf Development Program, with support from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. The project is expected to be completed soon, during the second quarter of 2020. The Comprehensive Disability Complex consists of 10 separate buildings, each specialising in the treatment, care, education, and rehabilitation of various categories of Persons with Disabilities, such as those with Down syndrome, brain damage, autism spectrum disorders, and hearing‑impaired people who are deaf and mute. The construction and operation of one of the project buildings, the Abdullah bin Ali Kanoo Diagnosis and Disability Evaluation Centre, was completed during the previous period, and the project began operating in June 2014. The other nine buildings include four rehabilitation centres for people with mild, moderate and severe intellectual disabilities, a health and sports centre, a learning and training resource centre, an exhibition of products for Persons with Disabilities, a day club for rehabilitation and recreational activities, and the administrative building. The complex's capacity is estimated at approximately 1,500 people per day, in addition to 160 administrators in the main administration building. The opening date for these centres is expected to be announced very soon. A number of these centres will be operated by civil society organisations and NGOs specialising in the affairs of People of Determination, within the framework of effective community partnerships between the public and private sectors. In a related context, and in affirmation of the provision of care and rehabilitation services to several community groups, His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, confirmed the establishment of the Social Care Complex project in Hamad Town to rehabilitate juveniles and shelter them, consistent with international standards. The project buildings specialise in child care and juvenile rehabilitation, and in sheltering those exposed to violence and abuse of both sexes, as well as the vagrants and beggars, with a total construction area of 11,776 square metres. It is being implemented within the Gulf Development Program with support from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), at a total cost of 7,182,000 dinars. The project consists of six interconnected buildings, including juvenile care buildings for boys and girls, a services building, Dar Al Aman for sheltering male victims of human trafficking, Dar Al Aman for the care of women exposed to domestic violence and human trafficking, and Dar Al Karama for Social Care. Construction work is expected to be completed in January 2022. Regarding the Social Services Complex in Isa Town, Humaidan stated that it has been decided to rebuild and equip a comprehensive social care complex. The complex includes several centres and homes designed specifically for People of Determination and senior citizens, with a total building area of approximately 15,000 square metres. It is being implemented within the Gulf Development Program with support from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, at a total cost of 7,347,994 dinars. The project consists of six buildings, including the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait building for the rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities, a building for the care of senior citizens, the Isa Town Social Centre, the Isa Town Kindergarten, the Academic and Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Persons with Disabilities, and a comprehensive building for sports and social activities. Construction is expected to be completed in November 2021, with operations scheduled for the second half of 2022. He thanked all partners and supporters of these development projects, including the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), for funding the construction and projects of the Comprehensive Disability Complex, the Social Welfare Complex in Hamad Town, and the Social Services Complex in Isa Town. He also thanked Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (ALBA) for covering most of the Budaiya Comprehensive Social Centre cost, and Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo for its initiative to finance the construction and furnishing of a comprehensive social centre.
MLSD Minister enhances for the continuation of efforts and initiatives to enhance training and develop human resources
11-04-2020
His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, affirmed his support for national efforts and initiatives of civil society institutions specialising in training, which will benefit the development of individuals and institutions and contribute to improving performance levels and raising the efficiency of the Bahraini workforce and others. He also stressed the importance of overcoming the challenges we face with competence and efficiency in various sectors and functional and professional specialisations, by utilising the best types and methods of professional training, including “coaching”, which now targets all segments of society to help define the paths of individuals’ personal and professional lives and to contribute to organising institutions according to management methodologies and successful leadership styles that will raise efficiency and productivity in various circumstances. He called upon all officials and leaders in private‑sector institutions to invest in national energies by using the coaching method to enhance their roles and adopt creative ideas. This came during a video address by Humaidan, broadcast remotely today, Saturday, at the opening of the fourth annual training and coaching forum, organised by the Bahrain Society for Training & Development (BSTD) on the occasion of Bahrain Coaching Day, under his patronage. The forum continues until tomorrow, Sunday. This year, the conference is being held for the first time via videoconference, with local, Gulf and Arab participation. The conference, held under the theme “Coaching Towards Building Resilient Leadership,” aims to raise awareness of the importance of coaching for leaders in Bahrain in light of the current challenges and circumstances, in addition to instilling coaching skills as part of leadership capabilities, so that they can practise them themselves and with all their employees, enhancing decision‑making processes and balance within organisations. The forum reflects emerging local, regional and international variables and their significant impact on available leadership methods and tools, in line with new developments in the work environment, planning patterns and future strategy development. Humaidan commended the Bahrain Society for Training & Development's commitment to the continuity of the conference and the pursuit of continuous training and learning. He noted the Kingdom of Bahrain's vast capabilities and competencies, through which we can utilise all means to transfer and exchange knowledge in various circumstances. He expressed his hope that the forum would provide an opportunity to discuss and formulate visions and proposals to support the development of national cadres in various sectors, in addition to reviewing the best experiences and development opportunities. In turn, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Society for Training & Development (BSTD), Mr. Ahmed Mahmood Attiya, said that in view of the current situation in the region, the Society decided to organise this forum remotely and without any registration fees for participants. The conference attracted 160 participants from various countries around the world. He expressed his deep thanks to His Excellency, the Minister of Labour and Social Development, for his patronage of the forum and his continuous support for the Society’s events and activities. He pointed out that the Society will continue its voluntary efforts aimed at strengthening and developing the human element and raising the name of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the field of training and human resources development locally and internationally. This year, the forum will host a group of international speakers and experts in the field of management and leadership development via an electronic platform. It will include four working papers, two each day. Coach Sameera Ali Baba will present the first paper, titled “Coaching to Improve Performance,” in which she will address strategies for applying coaching skills and tools to improve the performance of both leaders and their team members. The second paper, titled “Leadership Balance,” will be presented by Coach Riaz Jeevanjee. It will cover the importance and strategies of coaching, as well as the vital roles within an organisation to ensure maximum effective results and return on capital invested in a world of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. The third paper, “Coaching; the Key to Higher Emotional Intelligence for Leaders,” will be presented by Gerald Bridgers, a certified coach with the International Coaching Association. He will focus on the positive impact of using coaching as a development tool for enhancing leaders' emotional intelligence. The final paper, “The Role of Trust in Leadership,” will be moderated by Coach Osama Al-Mosa and will address the importance of building trust as a leader during challenging times.
MLSD Minister praises the directives of His Highness the Prime Minister to double the social security assistance and the disability allowance for the month of Ramadan
09-04-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, commended the generous directives of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, may God protect him, assigning the Ministry of Labour and Social Development to double the value of social security allocations benefiting 17,000 Bahraini families who receive social security benefits, to double the value of the disability allowance benefiting 12,000 persons with disabilities registered on the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s rolls, and to allocate a budget of 5.5 million Bahraini dinars to implement His Highness’s two generous orders, with the doubled benefits to be disbursed in mid‑April, on the occasion of the approaching holy month of Ramadan. Humaidan affirmed that the Ministry of Labour and Social Development has immediately commenced implementing the order of His Highness the Prime Minister, and that the amounts due to citizens entitled to social security assistance and disability allowance will be transferred to their accounts on 15 April. Humaidan stated that these generous directives from His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, which coincide with the approach of the holy month of Ramadan, are not new to His Highness, but rather accord with his long‑standing practice, and His Highness’s great and continuous interest in supporting the standard of living of citizens and ensuring a decent living for them, especially for the most needy segments of society. He noted that this comes in light of His Highness’s direct and continuous follow‑up of their living conditions, and his constant efforts to ensure a decent life for citizens and meet their needs on all occasions, help them manage their living affairs by providing their necessities for the holy month, and alleviate the financial burdens they face in a way that guarantees a decent and stable life for all. Humaidan explained that the number of beneficiaries of social security assistance totals 17,000 families from the categories specified by Law No. (18) of 2006 with respect to Social Security, who do not have a source of income, or do not have sufficient income to depend on in managing their daily living affairs, and include the family, widows, divorced women, abandoned women, the elderly, people with disabilities and those unable to work, unmarried girl, and orphans, stressing that an amount of up to 3 million Bahraini dinars will be transferred to their bank accounts. Regarding the disability allowance, His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development stated that this assistance, which is disbursed to those entitled to it in the amount of 100 dinars per month, will be doubled to 200 dinars on the occasion of the month of Ramadan, in accordance with Ministerial Resolution No. (24) of 2008, 2008 regarding criteria for eligibility for a disability pension, which defined the classification of disabilities to include physical disability, mental disability, visual disability, hearing disability, autism, cerebral palsy, and multiple disabilities. He indicated in this context that the number of beneficiaries of the disability allowance totals 12,000 citizens with disabilities (People of Determination), and an amount of up to 2.5 million Bahraini dinars will be transferred to their bank accounts, to cover the regular monthly allowance and the additional allowance. On this occasion, the Minister of Labour and Social Development expressed his deep thanks and gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country's great king, may God protect and preserve him, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Deputy King, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, for their great interest and constant support for citizens, especially the most needy groups, in order to secure a decent living for them.
MLSD Minister: Launching an electronic registration service for employers to pay the government the salaries of citizens in the private sector
08-04-2020
In accordance with the Royal directives to launch a financial and economic package to support citizens and the private sector, and the government’s commitment to pay the salaries of Bahraini citizens working in the private sector and registered with the Social Insurance Organization (SIO) for the months of April, May and June 2020, which comes as part of unified national efforts to curb the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, announced the launch of a service on the Social Insurance Organization’s website (www.sio.gov.bh), enabling employers to register, starting today, Wednesday, to benefit from the government’s commitment to pay the salaries of citizens working in private sector establishments. The eService enables employers to register their banking information via their active account with the Social Insurance Organization (SIO). If they do not have an active e‑account, they may activate it on the website. Humaidan affirmed that the government’s commitment to paying the salaries of citizens in the private sector comes within the framework of the keenness of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country's great king, may God protect and preserve him, and the esteemed government headed by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, and the follow‑up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, may God protect them, to provide the necessary liquidity for the private sector to deal with the effects of the current situation and mitigate the social and economic impacts of the global COVID‑19 pandemic and its repercussions, and to maintain the growth of the private sector and enhance its vital role in supporting the national economy. Humaidan explained that salaries will be paid according to the figures registered with the Social Insurance Organization (SIO) until the end of February. He noted that these salaries will be paid through savings from the Unemployment Insurance Fund, which will cost 215 million Bahraini dinars to cover the months of April, May and June 2020, at a monthly rate exceeding 70 million dinars. This includes all Bahrainis working in private sector establishments, numbering approximately 100,000 employees and workers registered with SIO.
Al-Dosari participates in the meeting of the Labor Agents Committee in the Cooperation Council countries online
03-04-2020
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Mr. Sabah Salem Al Dossari, participated in the emergency coordination meeting of the Committee of Undersecretaries of the Ministries of Labour in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, via live videoconference. The meeting reviewed the precautionary and preventive measures taken by the GCC countries to curb the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), particularly the countries' efforts to protect workers, ensuring the health and safety of all and the smooth running of production in private sector facilities. The meeting addressed GCC countries' initiatives to ensure a safe, secure and productive work environment. In this context, Al Dossari outlined the practical measures taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain to ensure smooth operations in private sector institutions and companies, including providing support and assistance to enterprises to enable them to fulfil their developmental role. The undersecretaries of the Ministries of Labour in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries affirmed their commitment to protecting the rights of national cadres working in the private sector and expatriate workers alike, in accordance with local national legislation and international labour standards. This commitment will mitigate the impact and repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Gulf economy and the stability of its labour markets.
MLSD Minister: A Governmental Specialized Center for Autism Coming Soon
01-04-2020
The Kingdom of Bahrain joins the world in commemorating the annual World Autism Awareness Day, observed on 2 April each year. This commemoration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life for people with autism, as a category of people with disabilities (People of Determination), so that they can live full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society. On this occasion, His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Supreme Committee for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, emphasised that attention to people with autism spectrum disorder, or any other category of People of Determination, is not limited to one day a year, but rather it is a sustained and cumulative focus built over years of experience, so that this category and other societal groups receive the attention and care they deserve. This is in implementation of the directives of the wise government to overcome all difficulties facing People of Determination and groups unable to fully integrate into society. He pointed out the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to the values of equality, fairness and inclusion, and to promoting the full participation of all people with autism spectrum disorder who have demonstrated creative energies and skills, to ensure they obtain the necessary tools to enjoy their rights and basic freedoms, to become integrated and active members of society. Humaidan announced the allocation of one of the largest buildings of the Comprehensive Disability Complex located in A'ali to be a specialised centre, the first of its kind and largest in size, for the rehabilitation of people with autism spectrum disorders, with a capacity of no fewer than 80 beneficiaries with autism. This comes within the framework of efforts to implement the National Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the plans, programmes and projects of the government work system, which seek to provide services to citizens, especially People of Determination. The Minister explained that the centre, which will be launched this year, will offer a variety of services for people with autism, including the application of the fundamentals of the internationally accredited Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) programme, "Ivar Lovaas," which was derived from the behaviour modification programme. It utilises positive reinforcement, visual communication and imitation skills, in addition to certain sensory integration activities to develop the senses in an integrated manner, among other programmes. Humaidan stated that the Ministry is continuing to support all private rehabilitation centres in the Kingdom that provide specialised services for autism cases. These centres include four specialised centres for autism: Alia Centre for Early Intervention, Al Wafa Centre for Intellectual Disability and Autism, Al Rashad Centre for Autism, and Tafaol Centre for special education. The centres also include the Al Amal Institute for Special Education and the Al Amal Centre for Early Care, which recently added autism rehabilitation services to their provision for children with intellectual disabilities. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development licenses, publicises and supervises private rehabilitation centres for People of Determination, the majority of which provide highly specialised services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder. These centres are constantly expanding, with the number of private centres in Bahrain currently standing at 19, specialising in this specific category. The Ministry also provides financial support to students who benefit from these centres, alleviating the financial burden on their parents and ensuring fairness and equality across all centres. Autism spectrum disorder is considered a human experience that contributes to human diversity and distinction. This requires the adoption of an integrated approach to designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating policies and programmes within social, economic and political frameworks across all ministries and governmental, civil and private institutions. This will achieve the effective integration of all segments of society and foster the spirit of social responsibility across society. He pointed out that the total number of people with autism spectrum disorder registered in the Ministry's system reached 781 as of March 2020.
Adopting the identity card for elderly instead of the “elderly services card” Temporarily
01-04-2020
As part of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s efforts to provide various services to senior citizens, including care, protection, and rehabilitation, and as part of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s precautionary measures to curb the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Ministry announces the temporary adoption of the ID card for senior citizens aged 60 and above, in lieu of the Elderly Services Card, which is issued by the Ministry at the Abdullah bin Yousef Fakhro Social Development Center in Isa Town, effective 29 March 2020. Accordingly, receipt of new applications for the Elderly Discount Card will be postponed until further notice. The Ministry has taken all necessary measures to ensure that this segment of citizens benefits from the Elderly Discount Card, including discounts from official and private entities that support it. The Ministry has allocated channels to respond to any enquiries in this regard, via telephone number 17103224, the toll‑free hotline 80008001, or email at Sameer.ali@mlsd.gov.bh.
Bahrain is keen to support federations and trade unions.. Humaidan meets the new Secretary General of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions
29-03-2020
His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, met with the new Secretary‑General of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions, Mr Abdulqader Al Shehabi, in the presence of the Deputy Secretary‑General, Mr Hassan Abdulla Al Halwachi, today, Sunday, at his office at the Ministry. During the meeting, Humaidan congratulated Mr Al Shehabi on gaining the confidence of the representatives of trade unions and their constituents and his election as Secretary‑General of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions. He expressed his aspiration to strengthen cooperation between the Ministry and the Federation in the coming period, striving to achieve further labour gains in this prosperous era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country's great king, may God protect and preserve him, who has established the foundations of trade union work and is the primary supporter of trade union activity in the Kingdom of Bahrain. His Excellency the Minister affirmed that the esteemed government, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, and with the support and backing of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister, may God protect and preserve them, is committed to supporting and facilitating the work of trade unions and federations as representatives of workers, who constitute one of the three most important production sectors and a key driver of development, progress and advancement in the country. He also emphasised the government's adoption of initiatives that provide decent work for citizens, ensuring that decent employment opportunities and worker stability are not affected by any economic developments or challenges. For his part, Al Shehabi commended the cooperation shown by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development with the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions and all trade union organisations, stressing that the Federation will strive to enhance joint work among the three production sectors and strengthen bridges of communication, trust and constructive dialogue to serve national issues, achieve the desired balance, and ensure the stability and development of the labour market, thus contributing to supporting economic growth in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Ministry of Labor and Social Development launches a new package of its electronic services
27-03-2020
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 within the framework of implementing precautionary and preventive measures to contain and prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, announced the launch of a new package of the Ministry’s electronic services in the field of social development on the Ministry’s website, and the allocation of the hotline (80008001) to respond to enquiries from reviewers regarding all Ministry services. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has thus completed its preparations to provide all its labour and social services electronically via its website, facilitating easy, high‑quality access for all. Application forms have been made available to be filled out and sent with the required attachments to a dedicated email for each service, as indicated on the Ministry’s accounts on the official social media sites: (mlsdbahrain) on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Among the electronic services included in the second group, which the Ministry provides through its website, are social assistance, cash compensation for lifting meat subsidies, eligibility enquiries, and enquiries about government financial support. The new electronic package also provides social security services, financial support, disability allowance, and compensation for house fires. It also provides support services for NGOs, registration services for civil society organisations, and financial and administrative audits, as well as registration requests for training courses and production workshops held in social centres. It also provides registration services for Khatwa for Productive Families Projects, registration for specialised professional courses at home project support centres, and services for establishing and licensing nurseries. The Ministry also provides other services in the development and labour fields. The Ministry has published dedicated email addresses for each of these services, making them easily accessible to service seekers on its website and social media platforms. The relevant departments will receive requests for various services, respond to them, and process them as quickly as possible. The Ministry renews its call to reviewers and target groups for these services to take the initiative to complete their transactions and receive the aforementioned services electronically on the Ministry’s website (www.mlsd.gov.bh), or by calling the hotline (80008001), without the need to visit in person the Ministry’s main building or the Ministry’s comprehensive service centres in all regions of the Kingdom, noting that these services do not mean cancelling the service request by attending in person the Ministry or its affiliated centres for those who wish to do so.
The Family Bank announces the postponement of interest-free loans for citizens for 6 months
26-03-2020
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Family Bank, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, announced that, as part of the Family Bank’s package of initiatives to address the repercussions of the current situation affecting various sectors, it has been decided to postpone loan repayments for citizens of the Kingdom of Bahrain for a period of six months, including all productive families affiliated with the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and individuals who have benefited from Family Bank loans and facilities. This is in line with the royal directives and in implementation of the Central Bank’s circular in this regard. Humaidan affirmed that the Family Bank’s executive management has begun implementing this decision, taking into account the Central Bank’s immediate decisions to halt all instalment or due claims for various types of loans for individuals and families with limited and low incomes, as well as small and medium enterprises, due for the next six months, while cancelling any interest, dividends, and any other fees. As for the remaining customers who do not wish to defer their due instalments, they are currently being contacted to obtain their written instructions to that effect. For his part, Family Bank CEO Dr Khalid Abdullah Ateeq affirmed that this decision is part of the measures taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain to support Bahraini citizens in overcoming the repercussions of the current circumstances facing the country and the world due to the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19). In this context, Family Bank has suspended all reminders to customers regarding instalment payments, and has also suspended the bank’s collection teams from claiming any outstanding loan amounts from customers. Family Microfinance House is considered the first bank specialising in microfinance, with its banking operations based on the provisions of Islamic Sharia. It represents a model for the social economy through partnerships between the public and private sectors, as well as a model for social projects that work to improve and raise citizens’ income levels by providing financial and non-financial services in a manner consistent with the provisions of Islamic Sharia. More than 6,000 Bahraini families and small businesses have benefited from the bank’s services since its opening. More than 13 million Bahraini dinars were also disbursed in small loans, contributing to the growth process in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
MLSD Minister: : Maintaining the quality of the services of the Ministry of Labor and Social Development provided electronically
25-03-2020
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 within the framework of implementing precautionary and preventive measures to contain and prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, confirmed that the Ministry provides the majority of its services in the labour and development sectors directed to all segments and categories of society electronically, whether on the Ministry’s website (www.mlsd.gov.bh) or by calling the hotline (80008001), with the remainder of the electronic services system to be completed as soon as possible, to facilitate everyone while emphasising maintaining the quality of services. This came during Humaidan’s chairing of a meeting of the Ministry’s Higher Committee for Planning and Follow‑up, where he listened to an explanation from the executive officials and leaders of the Ministry’s comprehensive service centres across all governorates of the Kingdom of Bahrain, regarding the efforts to implement precautionary and preventive measures to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), and the keenness to ensure the highest levels of safety and health for the Ministry’s clients and customers, whether in the main building or the subsidiary centres across all regions of Bahrain, including the provision of electronic services for most transactions, by visiting the Ministry’s website or calling the hotline. The meeting also discussed expediting the completion of technical aspects of other services so they can be provided electronically in the near future without compromising the quality of services offered to all target groups. The meeting also reviewed the comprehensive services provided by the Ministry, both at its main building and affiliated centres, and the measures implemented as part of the national campaign to combat the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), which seeks to preserve the health and safety of all employees and visitors. This includes sterilising the Ministry building and all affiliated centres, expanding the scope of precautionary measures to include all employees and visitors, and disseminating relevant guidelines. A report was also reviewed on the series of meetings held by the relevant department at the Ministry with representatives of the embassies of migrant workers, during which they were informed of the required preventive measures to ensure the safety and health of all. Field inspection visits were also conducted to workers' accommodations, and leaflets and posters were distributed to raise awareness of the coronavirus and to promote precautionary and preventive measures in several languages, including the languages of migrant workers in workers' accommodations and industrial zones. The report also included communicating with workers and disseminating the latest developments and measures required to protect them. In this context, His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development commended the remarkable response shown by various entities under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, including private‑sector establishments, private training institutions, nurseries, NGOs, and social care centres, and their response by taking the necessary preventive measures to contain and prevent the spread of the virus, in addition to their commitment to the decisions and instructions of the National Campaign to Combat the Coronavirus (COVID‑19). This reflects a sense of patriotism and an awareness of the shared responsibility to preserve the health of citizens and residents.
Ministry of Labor and Social Development launches a package of electronic services in the labor field, starting next Sunday, March 22nd
19-03-2020
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 within the framework of implementing precautionary and preventive measures to contain and prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID‑19), and in order to ensure the highest levels of safety and health for clients and customers, His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, announced that the Ministry will launch next Sunday, 22 March, a package of electronic services in the labour field. These services can be benefited from by visiting the Ministry’s website (www.mlsd.gov.bh) and completing the required transactions with ease and convenience. A hotline (80008001) has also been allocated to answer clients’ enquiries regarding all the Ministry’s services. In this context, it has been decided to exempt job seekers from the requirement to appear in person at the Ministry to qualify for unemployment benefits and compensation during March, April and May 2020, provided the application is submitted online. In a statement, Humaidan confirmed that the Ministry has completed its preparations to provide many services on its website and has placed application forms for a range of services on its website, which can be filled out and sent with the required attachments to a dedicated email for each service, as indicated on the Ministry’s social media accounts. These include registering new job seekers, receiving job vacancies from employers, unemployment insurance services, including registering repeated unemployment requests, registering unemployment compensation, submitting unemployment‑related grievances, registering occupational safety complaints and reporting occupational accidents and work‑related injuries, registering a complaint to the Labour Inspection Directorate regarding delayed payment of wages or unsuitable working conditions, employment contracts and vacations, registering a request for an amicable settlement or requesting a labour legal consultation, and applying for a Bahrainisation certificate for employers. This is in addition to the job‑seeker training service, registration in the training programme with Job Secure (Dhaman), the on‑the‑job training programme (Furas), and the apprenticeship programme, in addition to receiving requests for licences for training courses for private training institutions, accrediting managers and trainers, and requesting the establishment of a private training institution, among other services. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has created dedicated email addresses for each of these services on the Ministry’s website and its official social media platforms, which are: (mlsdbahrain) on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages, where the concerned directorate will receive requests from various services, respond to them, and deal with them as quickly as possible. Providing these services electronically is the first phase of the Ministry’s plan to launch several electronic services within an integrated system for registering new job seekers and an electronic recruitment system that allows job seekers to view available jobs at the Ministry and nominate themselves based on their desires. The system will be launched by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development in the coming period. This initiative aims to enhance the Ministry’s electronic services infrastructure and achieve the goals of e-government, facilitating access to numerous services in the labour and social development sectors for citizens, and improving the quality of services so that they are readily available to everyone with ease and convenience. The Ministry renews its call to reviewers and target groups for these services to take the initiative to complete their transactions and receive the aforementioned services electronically on the Ministry’s website (www.mlsd.gov.bh), or by calling the hotline (80008001), without the need to visit in person the Ministry’s main building or the Ministry’s comprehensive service centres in all regions of the Kingdom, noting that these services do not mean cancelling the service request by attending in person the Ministry or its affiliated centres for those who wish to do so.
The Joint Committee for Licensing the Establishment of Private Training Institutions holds its meeting
19-03-2020
The Joint Committee for Licensing Private Educational and Training Institutions held its coordination meeting today, Thursday, chaired by Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Jaafar Al Hayki, and attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education’s private educational institution licenses and representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s private training institution licenses. The classification and definitions of private educational and training institutions have been approved, along with the financial capacity criteria for licensing applications to finance the establishment and operation of these institutions. Two requests to establish new kindergartens were also approved, while a request to cancel a kindergarten was approved.