Latest news with #KhalidBuanaq
Daily Tribune
19-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Tribune
BD16.67mln spent on outsourced staff for hospitals and health centres
Twenty companies are supplying 1,430 workers including cleaners, barbers and programmers to Bahrain's hospitals and health centres under contracts worth a combined BD16.67 million, the Ministry of Health has said. The work is spread over 24 agreements signed by government hospitals and primary care centres, covering everything from security and transport to gardening and IT support. Funding comes from Chapter Two of each entity's budget. In a reply to a question by MP Khalid Buanaq, Her Excellency Dr Jaleela bint Al Sayed, the Minister of Health, said the contracts followed the separation of healthcare bodies from the ministry as part of a wider shift to give hospitals and clinics more say in their own dayto-day operations. Each body is now able to make its own arrangements so long as it sticks to the public tender law, its executive rules and the state's financial rulebook. Hospitals signed 13 contracts with nine companies to supply 1,008 workers. The largest of these was a BD3.705 million deal for cleaning Salmaniya Medical Complex. Other sums included BD563,612 for cleaning services at Jidhafs Maternity Hospital and several health centres, BD646,937 for administrative offices, BD34,584 for the Psychiatric Hospital and BD9,900 for Muharraq Special Healthcare Centre. Transport work was covered by a BD192,000 deal for 21 drivers. Laundry duties were filled under a BD327,000 contract for 29 staff.
Daily Tribune
23-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
False hopes, real pain MPs demand probe into fake job offers that cost Bahrainis their benefits
MPs are calling for an investigation into fake job offers that led to the closure of unemployment files for Bahraini citizens. The files were shut on the grounds that the individuals had turned down work, only for it to emerge the offers came from companies that do not exist. Parliament approved the urgent proposal yesterday, with MPs Khalid Buanaq and Zainab AbdulAmeer urging the government to direct the Ministry of Labour to look into the matter. In their explanatory note, the MPs said the files were closed without notice or proper explanation, leaving those affected confused and unfairly penalised. Complaints They cited a rise in complaints from jobseekers who said they were accused of refusing roles they had never been offered or that were linked to unregistered or inactive businesses. Some of those affected, they added, discovered through personal follow-up that the job offers in question were from non-existent entities or from companies not officially licensed or engaged in real activity. This, they said, raises questions over the credibility of those issuing job offers and the process used to verify employment data. Serious blow The MPs described the closures as a serious blow to the rights of the unemployed, saying the practice undermines trust between citizens and the authorities managing employment and welfare schemes. They called for a transparent system to check the accuracy of job offer records before any decisions are made that could affect a citizen's income or entitlements. The proposal also calls for independent oversight bodies to be involved in any investigation and for effective complaint mechanisms to ensure those affected can respond and present their case before any action is taken against them.
Daily Tribune
20-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Lifesaving fund for retirees ‘in sight'
MPs set to tap BD463 million surplus from unemployment fund for yearly pension increases Parliament is expected to vote on a proposal to draw from a BD463 million surplus in the Unemployment Insurance Account to cover yearly increases in pensions. The aim is to ease the pressure on the main retirement funds, which remain under financial strain. The proposal has been submitted by five MPs: Khalid Buanaq, Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, Ahmed Qarata, Zainab AbdulAmeer and Eman Showaiter. Clause It seeks to add a new clause to the 2006 law on unemployment insurance, allowing the surplus to be used for pension increases granted under any retirement or insurance scheme. This arrangement would continue until both the Pension and Social Insurance Fund and the Military Pension Fund are able to cover the increases on their own. The Services Committee has backed the move after reviewing the wording and reasoning behind it. Purpose Members present agreed that the surplus, which has been building up over recent years, could be used for this purpose. As of the end of December 2023, the Unemployment Insurance Account held BD463.2 million in net assets. The amount reflects the difference between income and outgoings, with BD54.4 million left over in 2023 and BD51.3 million in 2022. By law, any excess confirmed by an actuary must be moved to the account's reserve. Decision That money may only be spent following a Cabinet decision, with the minister's recommendation and approval from the board. Previous withdrawals have gone towards pandemic-related wage support and one-off job schemes. This proposed clause would allow the fund to cover yearly pension increases on a temporary basis. The wording makes clear it is a stopgap. Cost Once the pension funds have enough to meet the cost themselves, the use of the unemployment account would end. The proposal does not alter existing rules but adds another permitted use of the surplus. It would be the eighth item listed under paragraph (c) of Article 8 in the same law. Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee found no constitutional issue with the draft. Coordination The Military Pension Fund said coordination with the Cabinet would be required and its position would be included in the government's formal reply. In their explanatory note, the MPs said the aim is to protect retirees from the effects of rising prices. They cited Article 5 of the Constitution, which states that the State must provide social protection for those unable to work, including the elderly and unemployed. Audited report They also referred to an audited report presented to Parliament. It confirmed that the unemployment account has built up a financial cushion beyond what is needed for its current remit. They argued that using these funds to cover pension increases serves the wider public interest and fits within the intent of the law.
Daily Tribune
13-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Gulf Air profits up 53% after route cuts and passenger rise
Gulf Air's operating profits rose by more than half last year, driven by cost controls and a slight rise in passenger numbers, according to the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund. Mumtalakat Holding said early figures for 2024 showed a 53 per cent increase in operating profits. The national carrier flew 6.2 million passengers over the year, a rise of 5.4 per cent on 2023. The figures were disclosed in a reply by Minister of Cabinet Affairs Hamad bin Faisal Al Maliki to a parliamentary question from MP Khalid Buanaq. Mumtalakat said financial plans had helped bring down shortfalls and improve day-today performance. It also pointed to a series of decisions aimed at tightening operations and adjusting routes based on passenger demand. Gulf Air brought in BD473.5 million in operating revenues in 2023, up 10 per cent on the previous year. That is the highest figure recorded since 2012. Running costs rose as well. They stood at BD429.2 million in 2022 and increased to BD468.2 million in 2023.
Daily Tribune
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
MPs propose stricter rules on expat worker street-side labour
TDT | Manama Expat workers milling on street corners for freelance maintenance work, waiting hours, sometimes days, are in Parliament's sights as MPs push for tighter rules and greater accountability on sponsors. A group of MPs, led by Khalid Buanaq, has put forward the plan, warning that unchecked day labour is adding strain to markets and neighbourhoods. Their proposal points to clusters of workers, often seen waiting in the hope of securing short-term jobs in home repairs, plumbing, painting, or other manual trades. The concern is that this not only leaves many without stable income but also raises questions about the wider effects on the community. Daily crime rates 'This isn't just an economic issue,' the proposal states. 'It is also tied to rising daily crime rates among irregular workers, some of whom, out of desperation, may break the law. The government must step in, set clear rules, and hold those responsible for bringing in these workers accountable if they leave them to drift without jobs.' The MPs suggest two paths forward: either placing workers under proper sponsorship with jobs lined up or arranging for their return home. They argue that without firm action, the situation will continue to weigh on the economy and job market.
