HRH Premier chairs regular weekly cabinet meeting

Manama, Mar. 30. (BNA) – The cabinet has welcomed the International Labour Organisation's decision to write off the labour complaint against the kingdom, and commended the "constructive" efforts exerted by the Labour Minister and "responsible" role played by the production parties in preserving Bahrain's prestigious international position and its landmark labour and human rights achievements, the Secretary-General of Cabinet Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Naser stated. In a statement following today's regular weekly meeting, chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired at the Gudaibiya Palace today, Dr. Al-Nasser said that the cabinet had affirmed the government's keenness on carrying on its initiatives aiming to consolidate the values of justice and equality and ensure basic rights and liberties, including labour rights and achievements. The cabinet reviewed the kingdom's development and urban programmes, including acquisition of lands for public interests. In this regard, HRH Premier directed the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning to coordinate with the Finance Ministry and other concerned government departments to expedite reimbursements to those whose land was acquired for public projects, and examine the complaints submitted in order to avoid any delays. HRH Premier also stressed the need to continue efforts to reduce the burdens faced by contractors, small-scale traders and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises regarding their unpaid fees for the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), and requested the Labour Minister and LMRA Board Chairman to ease procedures for them, support traders and submit a report to cabinet. In a related context, HRH Premier directed to support citizens who may require assistance in paying electricity bills, and requested the Minister of State for Electricity and Water Affairs to submit an urgent report including the number of those who find difficulty in paying bills. The cabinet also hailed the success of the 16th International Bahrain Book Fair, held under the patronage of HRH Premier, and opened on his behalf by the Deputy Premier Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, highlighting the importance of encouraging cultural and intellectual events that attract many visitors. The cabinet reviewed a report submitted by the Culture Minister in this regard. The Industry and Commerce Minister also submitted a report on the increasing number of visitors to markets and shopping malls at weekends, noting that a total of 171,000 shoppers visted commercial outlets last weekend. The cabinet also welcomed the positive outcomes of the 25th Arab Summit, hosted recently by Kuwait, under the presidency of Amir Shaikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and praised Kuwait's role in enhancing joint Arab action. HRH Premier directed to keep government subsidy on Australian read meat, and as a result the price of 1 kg of Australian lamb will remain BD 1 and beef BD 1,200. The cabinet approved a memorandum presented by the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs on the establishment and regulation of the administrative apparatus at the Public Prosecution, following the transfer of the affiliation of the Public Prosecution from the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments to the Supreme Judicial Council, and requested the President of the Civil Service Bureau and other relevant sides to take the necessary legal and technical procedures. Then the cabinet reviewed a memo presented by the Minister of State for Follow-up Affairs in which he said that 204 proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives had already been implemented and 70 others were being implemented. The cabinet discussed a memorandum presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland regarding facilitating visiting visa application process to holders of diplomatic and special passports, and decided to refer it to the concerned ministerial committee for further review. The cabinet referred to the same committee another memo on registering a regional NGO and establishing its headquarters in Bahrain. The Cabinet took note of the approval of the Council of Representatives and Shura Council of adding a new article (No. 391 bis) to the Penal Code issued by Law Decree No. 15 for the year 1976, concerning money collection. The cabinet also endorsed three proposals submitted by the Representatives Council on reducing the number of fishing and shrimp licences, building a youth centre in Arad (seventh constituency) and including public safety rule in school curricular. The Cabinet was informed about the approval of the Council of Representatives and Shura Council of adding a new article (No. 391 bis) to the Penal Code issued by Law Decree No. 15 for the year 1976, concerning money collection. The Minister of State for Interior Affairs staged a presentation on the fire that broke out the Isa Town traditional market on March 27, while the Minister of State for Information Affairs briefed the cabinet on the fire that broke out at one of IAA's buildings, Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Naser said.