The Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain approved a number of plans aimed at mitigating the fallout of the novel coronavirus pandemic which affected the Kingdom’s social and economic activities. The new plans include paying 50 per cent of the salaries of insured citizens who work for the most affected companies in the private sector for three months. The government will also shoulder the electricity and water bills of all Bahraini subscribers for their primary residences for the same three-month period.

The labour fund, locall known as Tamkeen, is also directed to support the worst-hit economic sectors. These initiatives are in line with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad Isa Al Khalifa to unify national efforts to confront the repercussions of the pandemic as the local level and to protect the health and safety of all residents along with the continuity of the Kingdom’s programmes to enhance the sustainable development march.

The approval of these plans came during the cabinet’s regular weekly session on 29 June 2020, which was attended by HRH the Crown Prince and chaired by HRH the Prime Minister. The payment of electricity and water dues of all Bahraini subscribers from July, and for three months, will be based on their bill not exceeding that of the same period last year. Tamkeen’s support for the most-affected economic sectors in the Kingdom will be in accordance with the terms and conditions that are going to be approved by its Board of Directors.

"This additional package of measures announced today will further reduce pressure on households and families across the Kingdom, at the same time as supporting the many jobs of those employed by the private sector as their employers continue to respond to the unique economic challenges posed by COVID-19,” an official statement by the government said upon announcing the latest stimulus package.  It emphasized that until such time as we can return Bahrain to delivering strong and sustainable economic performance and growth, the government remains committed to early, targeted and effective interventions and support.