Latest news with #Kadhem
Daily Tribune
02-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Tribune
MP pushes for jobless pay for freelancers
A proposal aiming to give self-employed Bahrainis a chance to draw jobless pay during bouts of ill-health has been tabled by MP Jalal Kadhem. His amendment to the 2006 Unemployment Insurance Decree would let freelancers and people running their own businesses voluntarily sign up for an insurance scheme currently reserved for employed workers. Those affected by illness or injury, unrelated to work, would become eligible for monthly payments equal to 60 per cent of their average earnings, capped at BD1,000, provided the medical condition lasts no fewer than 30 days. To claim the support, the person must be Bahraini, aged at least 18, registered in the voluntary insurance scheme, and dependent solely on their profession for income. The incapacity has to be medically certified by authorised committees. Serious hurdles Kadhem pointed out clearly in his explanatory note how people working for themselves face serious hurdles whenever sickness puts their livelihoods on pause. 'These individuals face major challenges in the event of a temporary health condition that prevents them from performing their work,' he wrote. 'This leads to a complete halt in monthly income, negatively affecting the morale, finances, and mental wellbeing of the entire family.' The proposal creates a new category of 'voluntarily insured person', covering freelancers and self-employed citizens who join the voluntary social insurance scheme.
Daily Tribune
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Tribune
MP pushes for 24-hour dental emergency units across Kingdom to ease pressure on clinics
Toothache patients left queuing for hours or facing weeks-long waits are being priced out of treatment, says MP Jalal Kadhem, who wants 24-hour dental emergency units set up across the Kingdom to ease the pressure. Kadhem has called on the Ministry of Health to open round-the-clock dental services in health centres in every governorate. He said morning clinics are overcrowded, appointments are hard to come by, and patients who cannot afford to wait are being forced into the private sector, where costs can be steep. Dental problems Some dental problems, he said, need dealing with straight away. Infections and pain do not follow schedules, but public care often does. By the time an appointment becomes available, many have already paid out of pocket or gone without treatment altogether. Care Kadhem believes setting up emergency dental units that stay open through the night would ease the pressure on existing services and give patients another route to care. He added that the move could also create work for unemployed Bahraini dentists and urged the government to put aside enough money to get the plan running. The lawmaker pointed to the constitution, which states that healthcare is a right for all citizens and that the government must provide ways to ensure it, including building hospitals and clinics. Budget talks He reminded Parliament that during budget talks, he had pressed for more spending on health. The idea also ties in with measures ordered by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. These include keeping some primary care centres open throughout the night and stretching the working hours of others into the evening. Kadhem said this is in line with what MPs have been raising for some time, and it should help make services easier to reach while easing the pressure on packed clinics.
Daily Tribune
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
MPs to debate plan for overseas Bahrainis register
Lawmakers are preparing to debate a new proposal to create a national register for Bahraini citizens living abroad. The draft law, introduced by MP Jalal Kadhem, would require citizens who move overseas to register their personal details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This would need to be done within 30 days of leaving the country, either through the ministry 's online platform or at the nearest Bahraini embassy. Citizens would also be expected to update their records if their circumstances change. The ministry would define what information is required and how updates should be submitted. 'The register is about keeping our citizens connected to home, wherever they are,' said Mr Kadhem. 'It allows Bahrain to step in when help is needed and strengthens the link between the Kingdom and its people abroad.'
Daily Tribune
23-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Sparing employers from deportation costs
A proposal to spare Bahraini businesses from footing the bill for deporting runaway foreign workers and returning the bodies of deceased expatriates has passed through Parliament. MP Jalal Kadhem's amendment to the 2006 Labour Market Regulation Law shifts the financial duty for deportations entirely onto the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA). Under the new rules, employers will only pay repatriation costs if a worker dies and relatives specifically request the body's return. Direct blame Until now, businesses faced bills from the LMRA even when they bore no direct blame for a worker absconding or running afoul of the law. According to Kadhem, the LMRA had used vague wording in the previous law to reclaim costs unfairly from employers. Kadhem said the Constitution clearly calls for fair economic dealings between workers and employers. 'Businesses already pay hefty fees to the LMRA. To hit them again with deportation charges they did nothing to cause puts needless pressure on them,' he argued. He explained further that businesses already cover expenses for hiring, visas, accommodation, and annual fees for foreign staff. 'Many deportations stem from criminal acts or breaches of law, issues well beyond an employer's control,' he added.
Daily Tribune
11-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
MP proposes BD1,000 work permit fee for key expat jobs, up from BD200
TDT | Manama A legislative push to raise work permit fees for foreign accountants, engineers and cybersecurity analysts to BD1,000 has been put forward by MP Jalal Kadhem, targeting fields where Bahraini graduates are readily available but often overlooked. The draft law marks a sharp jump from the existing BD200 charge and applies only to selected jobs where, according to the MP, local applicants are being passed over in favour of cheaper expat hires. Twenty areas of work are named in the proposal, from finance and health to interior design and agricultural science. Employers taking on workers in these fields would face the higher fee. For other roles the BD200 fee would remain. Monthly levy There is also a proposed rise in the monthly levy paid for each foreign worker. Employers would pay BD10 a month per head. A discount of BD5 per worker would apply to the first five employees on their books. Kadhem's draft would also raise the cost of residency permits for family members of foreign workers and expat business owners. The proposed charge stands at BD200 for two years, covering paperwork such as the re-entry visa, residence card and no-objection certificate. The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) would collect all the fees. Anyone failing to pay would face a fine ranging from BD500 to BD2,000. 'The current fees are too low and make it easy for employers to pick foreign workers, even when Bahrainis with the right skills are ready and waiting,' Kadhem said. 'This adjustment brings money into public coffers and helps steady the books while nudging hiring in the right direction.' He added that the added cost for expat families would help share the strain on public services such as hospitals and schools. 'Those who live here should share the costs. It's fair, and it helps us keep the system steady for everyone,' he said. The proposal has been submitted for committee review before being brought forward for wider discussion.
