MANAMA: Bahrain’s main business body has raised strong objections to a proposed law that allows Bahrainis in government jobs to run businesses.
In a statement yesterday, the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry voiced reservation over a proposal tabled for discussion in the upcoming session of Parliament tomorrow which would enable public servants to obtain commercial registrations (CRs).
The chamber said the proposal which has already been approved by the legislative and legal affairs committee of the Council of Representatives, entails adding a new article (21 bis) to the civil service law issued by decree law (48) for the year 2010, accordingly allowing government officials to engage in business.
The BCCI has questioned the constitutionality of the proposed law, stressing that it affects civil services and is in contradiction with the labour law in the private sector.
It agreed with the opinion of the Industry, Commerce, and Tourism Ministry, opposing the law and underlining the importance of ‘devotion and specialisation’ as key principals for successful business.
The chamber explained that the proposed law will produce a conflict of interest, affect discipline and the quality of work in the public sector, exacerbate existing problems such as commercial concealment, augment unfair competition, and limit job opportunities for unemployed citizens.
The GDN reported last Friday that the parliament is set to debate amendments to the 2010 civil service law to allow Bahrainis in government jobs to open CRs despite objections from the government that it contradicts the nature of civil service.
avinash@gdn.com.bh
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