HRH Premier chairs regular weekly Cabinet session

Manama, Apr. 27 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salam Al Khalifa today chaired the regular weekly Cabinet session, attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. Premier lauds Bahraini workers’ achievements HRH Premier lauded the Bahraini workers’ achievements in the kingdom’s development process, as well as their role in building and advancing the nation, praising the efforts exerted by workers and their trade unions to improve the work environment and maintain the labour gains attained during His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s prosperous era, Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser, said in a statement following the session which was held via the video conferencing technology. Government’s support for press freedom affirmed The Prime Minister affirmed, marking the World Press Freedom Day, the government’s support for the freedom of the press so as to be able to carry out its noble mission of enlightening people and reporting facts to the public opinion, being a mirror that reflects what is going on in society. National Ambulance System’s performance under review HRH Premier gave directives to submit a report on the performance of the National Ambulance System, in terms of rapid response and arrival of ambulance services in a timely manner to the patients and the injured, as well as regarding the competence and efficiency of the ambulance services’ staff, in light of the development and training plans held to meet the needs of the current exceptional circumstances. Stimulus package to benefit more segments The cabinet decided to allocate two portfolios to support drivers and driving trainers, amid the current situation resulting from the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) The move is in line with the order of HRH Premier and directives of HRH the Crown Prince on increasing the number of beneficiaries from the economic stimulus package through taking advantage of the financing programmes of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) to support some segments that have been affected by the current situation. Under the first portfolio, amounts not exceeding BD 300 will be paid to 950 taxi and bus drivers for three months. Regarding the second portfolio, 829 driving trainers, who do not have commercial registrations or receive a pension, will be entitled to the same amount, also for three months. Meanwhile, the cabinet decided to pay the full salaries of 422 workers in the kindergartens, and 102 workers in nurseries, who are not insured in the Social Insurance Organisation, for three months through the Labour Fund. Mohammed bin Mubarak Academy’s establishment decree to be amended The session endorsed a draft decree on amending the decree establishing the Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies. Under the amendment, the Academy will have a six-member board of trustees, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The members, including Foreign Ministry’s officials or others, will be appointed as per a decree, based on the nomination of the Minister, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs and presented by the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Committee. Amendment to GCC nationals’ real estate ownership law endorsed The session approved amending the law allowing citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to own built real estates and lands in Bahrain. The amendment stipulates that GCC owners may dispose of their property through one of the legally prescribed ways, namely a will or inheritance, after the approval of the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister, and in the regions specified by the High Urban Planning Committee. Presented by the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister, the draft-law on amending the first article of Decree-Law 40/1999 on GCC citizens’ ownership of built real estates and lands was referred to the Council of Representatives, in accordance with the legal and constitutional procedures in force. Development projects’ progress under spotlight The cabinet reviewed the work progress at 96 currently-implemented development projects, worth BD 311 million. They include 15 road projects, costing BD 129 million, 49 sanitation projects, worth BD118, and 32 construction projects, valued at BD 64 million. The session was also informed, through the memorandum submitted by the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, about the tenders that had been launched or awarded in three sectors during the first quarter of this year. A total of 32 tenders, worth BD92 million, were launched, while 24 tenders, costing BD16 million, were awarded during the first quarter of 2020 in the roads, sanitation and construction sectors. MoU on Bahrain-Egypt international humanitarian law cooperation approved The cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Bahrain’s National Committee for International Humanitarian Law and its Egyptian counterpart. The MoU aims to enhance cooperation between the two committees in spreading awareness on international law and training the relevant groups in civil and military educational institutions. Parliamentary proposals The session approved four proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives. They included: -The distribution of the services delivered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development to all its affiliate centres, without distinction, as well as the delivery of those services electronically. -Establishing integrated emergency centres at every governorate to address various emergency cases. -Expanding and developing the Jidhafs Secondary Technical Boys’ School. The Ministry of Education was requested to include the project in its construction plan. -Granting housing units to the players of the national football team, the winners of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup, who meet the housing services entitlement conditions and criteria.