Panel to review Covid jobs fallout

A SPECIAL committee has been formed to review any potential dismissals or pay cuts involving Bahrainis working in the private sector.

Labour and Social Development Ministry Under-Secretary Sobah Al Dossary told the GDN yesterday that they were closely following the situation amid the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The government has been paying the wages for Bahrainis in the private sector since April, but that support is set to end this month.

MPs are also in talks with the government on potentially extending the support or introducing a new stimulus package.

Mr Al Dossary said any dismissals or pay cuts will be addressed through the special committee formed within the ministry.

However, he added that employers have been committed to protecting the welfare of Bahraini employees with or without government support.

“Pay cuts cannot go ahead without the ministry’s or the worker’s approval,” he said.

“Also, if we receive statistics and projections that indicate losses or turnovers then the ministry may match the cuts.

“The ministry has not received any documents stating pay cuts by employers from next month.

“However, the General Federation for Bahrain Trade Unions has contacted us and raised the issue and accordingly a special committee was formed.

“Any potential dismissal from next month will also be looked into and hopefully settled within the same time, as it would be a bigger loss on the employer’s side.”

Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/825942/Panel-to-review-Covid-jobs-fallout