Bahrain - An urgent legislation to withdraw money from the Unemployment Fund to pay for the wages of Bahrainis in the private sector for the next three months has been submitted to parliament.

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, referred the legislation urgently to the National Assembly.

It aims to support 100,000 Bahrainis at a cost of BD215 million.

Both parliament and the Shura Council have two weeks each to review and vote on the legislation or it will be considered ratified by His Majesty King Hamad.

It is part of an economic package worth BD4.3 billion approved on Monday to offset the impact of Covid-19.

The eight financial initiatives include a waiver on electricity and water bills for all accounts – including individuals and commercial – for three months and a delay of bank loan instalments for six months for those impacted by the virus.

The other initiatives include doubling the Liquidity Fund to BD200m, and exempting tourism facilities from tourism fees for three months, among others.

Meanwhile, legislation to form a reserve security force consisting of civilian volunteers, who would be activated in times of crises, has been speeded up.

The draft Public Security Voluntary Law, which has been presented to Parliament by the government is expected to be included urgently during Tuesday’s session.

Parliament’s foreign affairs, defence and national security committee chairman Mohammed Al Sissi told the GDN last night that the law was vital to help government combat Covid-19.

“The new law will strengthen police response through a new community partnership mechanism not just for this period as we combat Covid-19 but also in future as we face other possible challenges,” said Mr Al Sissi.

He added the reserve force would span all segments of the emergency services.

“The new law, which we have recommended gets pushed urgently, deals with all security departments – whether it is police, Civil Defence, community police or emergency medical intervention.”

Another similar law has been approved by legislators for a reserve force at the BDF.

Meanwhile, Mr Al Sissi condemned a documentary on the BBC, which he stressed was an insult to Bahrain.

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