Bahrain Cabinet in a meeting on Sunday, chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, decided to extend the fees levied by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) till April 1, 2012.
The decision is seen a major relief by the private sector, especially the SMEs, which has had affected by the economic slowdown in the GCC region as well as events gripped the Kingdom in February and March this year.
HRH Premier instructed the concerned authorities to review work fees and assess their overall impacts on other economic sectors and submit a report in this regard.
“The government will embark on a new phase of national work, in light of the recommendations that featured in the final report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) and the National Consensus Dialogue,” HRH Prime Minister said.
The Cabinet instructed all ministries to give top priority to the implantation of the recommendations of BICI and the National Consensus Dialogue in the set time.
The Cabinet reviewed a report presented by the Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Government work team in charge of scrutinizing BICI final report Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa on the mechanisms of cooperation between the government and the National Commission, as well as the proposed implementation work plan.
The plan also determined the way the Government work team will deal with the National Commission regarding the government’s commitment to implementing the BICI reports, as outlined by the Royal Order 45 for this year on the establishment of the National Commission in Charge of the BICI Recommendations.
Concerning the implementation of the National Consensus Dialogue visions, State Minister for Follow up Affairs presented a report on the progress of the implementation process.
The Cabinet endorsed a number of legal and housing projects, including the National Plan to Consolidate Human Rights and eight housing visions.
Concerning dilapidated houses, HRH Premier gave directives to assess them and take immediate actions and remove those posing a threat to the citizens’ lives, requesting the Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry to prepare an inventory of those houses, in cooperation with the Culture Ministry and the other concerned sides.
HRH Premier also highlighted the need to create suitable conditions for re-launching the development march, praising the tremendous efforts made by the Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and the security bodies to promote security and stability across the Kingdom.
The Cabinet hailed the hi-tech refinery for used lubricant oil, inaugurated under the patronage of HRH Premier, noting that it will boost the manufacturing industries, the oil and gas sectors and related investments, in line with the government strategy in this regard.
The Cabinet endorsed a plan to build 2500 housing units, in cooperation with the Housing Bank and the private sector.
It also agreed to grant the Housing Bank a mid-term loan of BD 100 million in order to renew its previous loan.
The Cabinet approved the National Strategy for People with Disabilities and its executive plan proposed by the Human Rights and Social Development and Acting Health Minister Dr. Fatima Al Blushi.
The Seeds and Saplings Law, approved by the 29th GCC Summit, was also endorsed and referred to the National Assembly.
The Cabinet also charged the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to coordinate with the concerned sides regarding the implementation of a decision on the use of public property in establishing and developing telecommunication networks.
The Cabinet also discussed issuing an Elderly Service Card, in line with the draft-law on the elderly rights and referred it the Ministerial Committee on Financial and Economic Affairs.
Regarding the choice of Manama as Capital of Arab Culture for the year 2012, the Cabinet called upon all ministries and government bodies to cooperate with the Culture ministry in order to ensure the success of such a function and highlight the kingdom’s cultural and historical position as a hub of civilization and cultural exchange.
The Cabinet was informed on the laws approved by the Shura and Representatives councils.