16 January 2006
The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has issued a statement on public and emergency holidays for private sector companies and firms.
A spokesman said that the BCCI had already issued a circular with regard to the public holidays during the year 2006 and there was no room for confusion whatsoever.
He added: "This communication is a part of the earlier directives of the BCCI board of directors adopted in its new 26th session with the aim of developing a clearer vision with regard to serving the interests of the business community and economic affairs. Such aspect will certainly enhance the principles of economic freedom that are based upon giving the freedom to companies and businesses to have the discretion to adopt the appropriate decision concerning everything that regulates the pursuit of their business, including cases of emergency holidays in compliance with the provisions of the law."
The BCCI said that official holidays with full pay were clearly stated in the Labour Law for the Private Sector promulgated by Legislative Decree No. 23 of 1976, in Article 81, with total 14 days according to the said article as follows: First day of Al Hijra Year - 1st Muharram; Ashoora-9th and 10th Muharram; Prophets (PBUH) birthday - 12th Rabie Al Awal; Eid Al Fitr - 1st, 2nd and 3rd Shawal; Eid Al Adha - 10th, 11th and 12th Zilhija; First Day of the New Gregorian Year - 1st January; Labour Day - 1st May and the Kingdom's National Day and HM King's Accession Day - 16th and 17th December.
"If the weekly day of rest for companies or businesses that have a five-day or six-day week coincides with any of the above official holidays, another day shall be granted in lieu of such holiday."
With regard to emergency holidays, the statement said there are two types of such holidays. The first is the case where the Government issues a decision declaring a holiday for the Government ministries, directorates and institutions in which case BCCI wishes to emphasise that a decision to give a holiday is up to the discretion and considerations of the owners of such companies and businesses and the decision-makers in this sector.
The second type of emergency or extraordinary holidays are determined in line with a decision from the Royal Court declaring a holiday covering public and private organisations. The BCCI urged the private sector establishments to comply with declared holidays. The BCCI said that it was possible to compensate a worker in such events according to the basis and principles prescribed by the Labour Law for the private sector.
The BCCI stressed its keen interest in further enhancing the principles of economic freedom and to promote competitiveness in the business and economic sectors.
The spokesman added: "The ultimate goal is to give a greater role to the market forces and mechanisms to play in furthering the ability of the local trading and economic activities to compete and develop in line with changes taking place at the international level."
The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has issued a statement on public and emergency holidays for private sector companies and firms.
A spokesman said that the BCCI had already issued a circular with regard to the public holidays during the year 2006 and there was no room for confusion whatsoever.
He added: "This communication is a part of the earlier directives of the BCCI board of directors adopted in its new 26th session with the aim of developing a clearer vision with regard to serving the interests of the business community and economic affairs. Such aspect will certainly enhance the principles of economic freedom that are based upon giving the freedom to companies and businesses to have the discretion to adopt the appropriate decision concerning everything that regulates the pursuit of their business, including cases of emergency holidays in compliance with the provisions of the law."
The BCCI said that official holidays with full pay were clearly stated in the Labour Law for the Private Sector promulgated by Legislative Decree No. 23 of 1976, in Article 81, with total 14 days according to the said article as follows: First day of Al Hijra Year - 1st Muharram; Ashoora-9th and 10th Muharram; Prophets (PBUH) birthday - 12th Rabie Al Awal; Eid Al Fitr - 1st, 2nd and 3rd Shawal; Eid Al Adha - 10th, 11th and 12th Zilhija; First Day of the New Gregorian Year - 1st January; Labour Day - 1st May and the Kingdom's National Day and HM King's Accession Day - 16th and 17th December.
"If the weekly day of rest for companies or businesses that have a five-day or six-day week coincides with any of the above official holidays, another day shall be granted in lieu of such holiday."
With regard to emergency holidays, the statement said there are two types of such holidays. The first is the case where the Government issues a decision declaring a holiday for the Government ministries, directorates and institutions in which case BCCI wishes to emphasise that a decision to give a holiday is up to the discretion and considerations of the owners of such companies and businesses and the decision-makers in this sector.
The second type of emergency or extraordinary holidays are determined in line with a decision from the Royal Court declaring a holiday covering public and private organisations. The BCCI urged the private sector establishments to comply with declared holidays. The BCCI said that it was possible to compensate a worker in such events according to the basis and principles prescribed by the Labour Law for the private sector.
The BCCI stressed its keen interest in further enhancing the principles of economic freedom and to promote competitiveness in the business and economic sectors.
The spokesman added: "The ultimate goal is to give a greater role to the market forces and mechanisms to play in furthering the ability of the local trading and economic activities to compete and develop in line with changes taking place at the international level."
© Bahrain Tribune 2006
