MPs' social aid proposal for unmarried relatives rejected
The proposal, submitted by members of Parliament, sought to amend Bahrain's welfare rules by tying the duty of financial support to marital status.
MPs argued that single relatives are more likely to have spare capacity, while those who are married already face household costs.
They also called for social aid payments to rise by at least 10 per cent every three years in response to rising living expenses.
Objections
The government raised several objections. It said the condition ran counter to Bahrain's Family Law of 2007, which requires financially able relatives to provide support regardless of whether they are married.
Creating a separate rule that exempts one group based on personal status, the Cabinet said, would disrupt the legal framework and create confusion in interpretation and enforcement.
The government also questioned the logic behind the bill, stating that marital status is no measure of financial ability.
Loans
A single relative might still be caring for elderly parents, supporting siblings or repaying loans.
A married person, on the other hand, may well be in a stronger position.
The government noted that support obligations should be based on means, not assumptions.
Another issue lay in the proposal to increase aid on a fixed cycle.
The draft offered no detailed formula or cap.
The government warned that such a recurring increase, without proper financial modelling, could weigh heavily on the state budget and risk affecting other services.
Under Bahrain's constitution, any bill that imposes new spending or reduces revenue must first receive government agreement.
Condition
This proposal, the Cabinet said, did not meet that condition and would add financial strain without prior coordination.
The government reaffirmed its support for social assistance schemes, particularly for families in need, but said such support must be delivered through well-grounded, sustainable channels.
It called for the draft law to be reconsidered in light of the legal and financial concerns raised.
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