Cabinet briefing

Manama, Aug 24 (BNA): Information Affairs Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al Hamamdi said that the Cabinet had not discussed the subsidy programme in its session today, adding that the government would inform the public about all details as soon as decisions on this matter are taken. The minister, following today's Cabinet session, added that the joint committee with the legislative branch has previously held several meetings, but there were no decisions submitted today to the cabinet. With regard to the memorandum on security guard fees, the minister said that the Interior Ministry has revised the fees based on observations occurred in the National Audit Office reports. The minister explained that the Cabinet today discussed the Interior Ministry's proposal including defining the fees for the services provided, and based on the Cabinet's approval, the Interior Minister will issue the necessary decision in this regard which will come into effect from the day of its issuance. In respect to the Interior Ministry’s decision to return 1% of the amount deducted from its employees, and whether it was an official order that will include all government and private agencies, the minister highlighted the substantial benefits achieved by the Kingdom of Bahrain through the insurance against unemployment system, that made the Arab Labour Ministers Council endorse it and many other countries consider its application. However, he said there were no government plans to extend the Interior Ministry’s decision to all other official entities. He said it may be a special case for the Interior Ministry as it is among the state's security agencies. The minister added that the matter was not taken up by the cabinet during its sessions, but said that the media would be informed if a decision was taken.