Bill for 2.5% yearly pay rise in private sector

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

An MP has put forward a bill to require private-sector employers to give staff who complete two consecutive calendar years with the same employer an annual rise of at least 2.5 per cent in basic pay, to be repeated every year thereafter.

The measure would add Article 37 bis (1) to the Labour Law in the Private Sector, Law No. 36 of 2012, and would take effect the day after its publication in the Official Gazette.

The increase would apply to the basic wage only. Daily-paid workers or those paid monthly stipends, temporary staff engaged for less than six months, and part-time workers would be outside the scheme.

MP Jalal Kadhem said the aim is to set a floor for yearly pay progression and to make private employment more appealing, in line with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. He added that many private-sector employees have seen pay frozen for years, which affects family budgets.