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MPs have unanimously voted to give women working in the private sector two hours a day to care for their newborns for up to two years.
However, the amendment to the 2012 Private Sector Employment Law was opposed by labour and business authorities claiming it could create a stigma in hiring women. Under existing rules, women in the private sector are given two hours for six months followed by an hour a day until the baby is a year old.
However, the amendment gives female employees in the private sector the same benefits as civil servants and security personnel. It will now be drafted into law by the government and referred to the National Assembly within six months for a vote.
Labour and Social Development Ministry Under-Secretary Sabah Al Dossary said the move could prove detrimental for women, pointing out that 82 per cent of the unemployed in Bahrain were women. “Employers look at profit and loss and may view such a move as a financial burden,” he said, during the chamber’s weekly session yesterday.
“We are already finding it challenging to find jobs for women and this move will only reduce our options.”
Parliament services committee chairman Mamdooh Al Saleh said that the rule would affect all female employees, Bahrainis and expats. “So, if employers start shunning females then we are heading towards gender inequality and discrimination. “It is the duty of the ministry to ensure that Bahrainis don’t get sacked for any unfair reason.”
The ministry had urged MPs to rethink the amendment because it would place additional financial burdens on the employers, besides leading to a rise in unemployment as businesses would start getting rid of female employees. The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry said businessmen would incur losses and would reduce chances of female employment.
However, the Supreme Council for Women backed the move, but urged legislators to impose more guarantees that the status of women would not be negatively affected and their jobs would be secure. Bahrain’s two trade federations and the Bahrain Women’s Association for Human Development also backed the move.
MPs also unanimously approved having administrative posts like secretaries, receptionists and desk helpers at ministries, government bodies and state-owned companies to be occupied only by Bahrainis. They also voted unanimously on another proposal to stop state-owned companies from terminating the contracts of Bahrainis unless they commit a severe violation or a crime. Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the country’s sovereignty fund, said this would constitute as favouritism towards Bahrainis who would receive an advantage in treatment over their expat colleagues.
The National Oil and Gas Authority, which has backed the proposed move, said Bahrainis were already a priority in job selection, training, education and promotions besides incentives.
MPs approved proposed amendments to the 1976 Social Insurance Law to have family members working in a family business to be covered by social insurance. The Social Insurance Organisation backed the amendments.Parliament also voted in favour of a proposal that states insurance should cover parties that are not at fault rather than have them pay partially.
MPs also voted on the establishment of a new national centre for cyber security, which has been backed by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and the Interior Ministry.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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