Option of paying fixed monthly utility bills in Bahrain on the way

People in Bahrain will soon have the option of paying fixed monthly utility bills, based on average monthly payments for a year, or go with the actual meter reading.

Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Wael Al Mubarak told MPs during their weekly session yesterday that an urgent proposal in this regard by the Southern Municipal Council has been approved.

He also ruled out changes to utility bill procedures following a rise in gas production costs.

“New smart meters are tested before installation and we plan to replace existing electricity meters before 2023 and water meters this year,” he said, in response to a question.

In response to another question on electricity and water production costs by private companies, he said: “Deals for the best production prices are assessed on a regular basis whether that is from facilities that we directly manage or the private sector.

“There is a shift to renewable energy for production and people can have it as part of their homes and buildings when applying for electronic building permits.”

MPs also took a retrospective vote on the national employment strategy to cover four years instead of the current two.

They approved a royal decree amending the 2006 Labour Market Regulatory Law issued by His Majesty King Hamad during Parliament’s recess last year, to have the strategy drawn up by the Labour and Social Development Ministry in consultation with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).

The strategy could include caps on expatriate work permits depending on circumstances.

Government plans to join further agreements under the Organisation of the Islamic Council were also approved.

Both legislations will be now reviewed by the Shura Council.

A debate on amendments to the 2013 Psychiatric Health Law is set to resume next week.

Amendments to the 1973 Advertisements Law were rejected as the government is already working on a new comprehensive legislation.

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