Latest news with #BD200
Daily Tribune
31-05-2025
- Daily Tribune
Justice renewed: Father must step up beyond government aid for disabled daughter
The High Sharia Court has ruled that a father must provide for the daily needs of his disabled adult daughter, overturning an earlier verdict that left her care dependent solely on a government disability stipend. The court ordered the father to pay BD100 per month for his daughter's maintenance, along with BD60 twice a year for clothing expenses. Additionally, the court mandated that the daughter's specialised care costs—including medical equipment and the hiring of a housemaid—be covered using her government disability allowance where possible, or otherwise from the father's personal income. The case arose after the mother appealed a previous ruling which had required the daughter's BD120 monthly maintenance to be drawn entirely from the BD200 disability allowance provided by the state. The mother argued that this allowance was intended to cover the daughter's medical needs and essential equipment, and could not replace the father's legal obligation to provide for basic living expenses such as food and clothing. The court heard that the 34-year-old daughter suffers from severe physical and intellectual disabilities, requiring continuous care that includes a wheelchair, medical bed, specially equipped living space, and a full-time carer. The mother also testified that the father had been using part of the disability allowance to settle overdue utility bills and had failed to financially support both of their daughters. While the court accepted that the disability allowance may be applied toward expenses directly related to the daughter's condition, it found that the father cannot rely on this support alone. If the allowance falls short of covering essentials, the difference must be paid from the father's own funds. The judges emphasized that under Sharia law and Bahrain's Family Law, a father who is financially able is obligated to meet his children's daily needs. The mother had also requested additional relief, including a separate home, BD1,500 to hire a housemaid, a monthly salary for the maid, and the right for the couple's other daughter to choose which parent she would live with. These requests were dismissed on procedural grounds, as they had not been raised during the original trial and thus could not be introduced at the appeal stage. The court upheld the mother's spousal maintenance at BD90 per month, deeming it reasonable based on her needs and the father's financial situation. The ruling requires the father to pay BD100 monthly for the daughter's basic upkeep. This amount may come from the disability allowance only if it fully covers these costs; otherwise, the father must cover the shortfall personally. He is also responsible for ensuring the allowance is allocated toward the daughter's specialised care, including medical needs and housemaid expenses. The hearing was conducted in public, with both parents represented by legal counsel.
Daily Tribune
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Al Baraka Islamic Bank joins Al Helli supermarkets in celebrating golden jubilee
Al Baraka Islamic Bank Bahrain, a leading Islamic financial institution in the Kingdom, has recently announced the launch of a special promotional campaign to join Al Helli Supermarkets in celebrating their Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years since their establishment in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 1975. The promotional campaign will start May 15th and will run until June 15th. During this period, Al Baraka Islamic Bank will select 50 customers by draw to win a full cashback refund on their purchases made in Al Helli Supermarkets using Al Baraka Mastercard credit cards, up to a maximum of BD200, provided they spend at least BD50 per transaction during the promotional period. On this occasion, Mr. Mazin Dhaif, Chief Retail Officer at Al Baraka Islamic Bank, stated: 'We are delighted to join Al Helli Supermarkets in celebrating their Golden Jubilee and 50 years of successful operations in the Kingdom of Bahrain, through the launch of this exclusive promotional campaign. This initiative gives our valued Mastercard credit cardholders rewarding opportunities to win full cashback on their purchases when using their cards in any branch of Al Helli Supermarkets across Bahrain. This campaign affirms that the strategic partnership between Al Baraka Islamic Bank and Al Helli Supermarkets extends beyond this promotional initiative, ensuring that the relationship remains ongoing and continues to evolve through future joint projects and offers.' He added: 'This initiative is part of Al Baraka Islamic Bank's strategy to strengthen our relationships with partners and expand the scope of our services. The Bank is always keen to offer unique promotions that meet the aspirations of our customers and provide them with opportunities to win exclusive rewards. Our partnership with Al Helli Supermarkets is an example of our commitment to providing exceptional shopping experiences and greater value to our loyal customers, by expanding our network of partnerships and collaborating with leading commercial organisations in the Kingdom. We invite all our valued customers to seize this opportunity and benefit from this valuable promotional campaign, making their shopping experience during this period both rewarding and profitable at Al Helli Supermarkets.' For his part, Mr. Ammar Al Helli, Chairperson of Al Helli, said: 'We are proud of our 50-year journey serving the Bahraini community through our network of Al Helli Supermarkets branches located throughout the Kingdom, where we provide a comprehensive shopping experience and offer a wide range of high-quality products to our valued customers.' He added: 'As we celebrate 50 years since the founding of Al Helli Supermarkets, we are pleased to collaborate with Al Baraka Islamic Bank in launching this special promotional campaign, providing our valued customers with a rewarding and profitable shopping experience. We welcome all customers visiting Al Helli Supermarkets to benefit from this valuable campaign and look forward to serving all our valued customers and meeting all their shopping and product needs.' Al Helli Supermarkets began its journey in 1975, starting as a small shop and growing to become one of the most prominent and successful institutions in the retail sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain, now boasting 14 branches across the Kingdom.
Daily Tribune
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
MPs urged to reject 2023 unemployment fund accounts
Parliament's Financial and Economic Affairs Committee has called on MPs to reject the audited 2023 accounts of Bahrain's unemployment insurance fund, with a vote scheduled for today, after net assets fell by BD124 million due to a state transfer and rising benefit costs. The recommendation follows a four-month review by the committee, which advised against adopting the financial statements approved by the board of the Social Insurance Organisation. The fund's reserves dropped from BD587.6 million in 2022 to BD463.2 million in 2023. The fall was driven by a BD200 million government-authorised transfer intended to support employment and wage programmes. BD67.67 million was drawn during the year, with the rest recorded as liabilities to be used later. The committee warned that if such withdrawals continue without clear legal safeguards, the fund's long-term stability could be placed at risk. It called for firmer rules to govern transfers and more regular assessments of the fund's ability to meet its obligations. Although the fund closed the year with a surplus as contributions exceeded payouts by BD54.4 million, the committee raised concern over the direction of travel. Benefit payments rose by nearly 12 per cent while contributions rose by only 8.3 per cent. If that pattern continues, it said, the surplus may not hold. The audit, conducted by KPMG Fakhro and endorsed by the Social Insurance Organisation's board, found the statements to comply with international standards. Still, the committee said the numbers did not fully reflect longer-term pressures.
Gulf Insider
17-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
MP Questions Disability Aid Over Job Offer
A man in a wheelchair was offered a job as a truck driver, Parliament was told yesterday, as MPs took aim at the disability assessment system and urged the government to double the monthly allowance. MP Hisham Al Awadhi raised the issue during the session, saying the current BD100 allowance was too low to cover basic needs and that many cases of severe disability were being wrongly denied the higher BD200 rate. He also criticised the assessment process itself. 'People are receiving BD100 without any clarity on how they were evaluated or how long the assessment stands,' he said. 'In some neighbouring countries, the minimum is BD500.' VAT Al Awadhi pointed out that VAT still applies to equipment and supplies used by people with disabilities, increasing monthly costs for families already under pressure. 'There are house hold s spending hundreds of dinars each month, and the allowance doesn't even scratch the surface.' He went on to question the decision to scrap the disability identification card. 'What's the reason? If it's a money issue, I'll pay for every card myself.' Complaint The most striking example came from a recent complaint. Al Awadhi said a man using a wheelchair had been offered work as a trailer truck driver, an offer made by the Ministry of Labour based on a referral from the Social Development Ministry. In response, Social Development Minister, His Excellency Osama Al Alawi, said the government was pressing ahead with its strategy for disability support, which began with the 2006 law setting out rights and entitlements for this group. Monthly allowances He said monthly allowances had been raised in stages over the years, with five categories of severe disability now covered under the BD200 rate. By January 2025, some 14,780 people were receiving support, issued under rules aimed at ensuring fairness in distribution. The minister added that the government's work extended beyond financial aid. Construction is in progress on a new facility, the Comprehensive Disability Centre, which will contain nine buildings and offer services in care, education and rehabilitation. International standards The project is expected to follow international standards for such centres. The ministry also provides BD1.2 million in yearly funding to 12 licensed non-governmental centres around the country. Al Alawi said the ministry is open to ideas from MPs and would continue to work with the Council to improve support for people with disa. Also read: Flatmate Pushes Man Down Stairs In BD20 Row
Daily Tribune
16-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
MP questions disability support after wheelchair user offered driving job
A man in a wheelchair was offered a job as a truck driver, Parliament was told yesterday, as MPs took aim at the disability assessment system and urged the government to double the monthly allowance. MP Hisham Al Awadhi raised the issue during the session, saying the current BD100 allowance was too low to cover basic needs and that many cases of severe disability were being wrongly denied the higher BD200 rate. He also criticised the assessment process itself. 'People are receiving BD100 without any clarity on how they were evaluated or how long the assessment stands,' he said. 'In some neighbouring countries, the minimum is BD500.' VAT Al Awadhi pointed out that VAT still applies to equipment and supplies used by people with disabilities, increasing monthly costs for families already under pressure. ' There are house hold s spending hundreds of dinars each month, and the allowance doesn't even scratch the surface.' He went on to question the decision to scrap the disability identification card. 'What's the reason? If it's a money issue, I'll pay for every card myself.' Complaint The most striking example came from a recent complaint. Al Awadhi said a man using a wheelchair had been offered work as a trailer truck driver, an offer made by the Ministry of Labour based on a referral from the Social Development Ministry. In response, Social Development Minister, His Excellency Osama Al Alawi, said the government was pressing ahead with its strategy for disability support, which began with the 2006 law setting out rights and entitlements for this group. Monthly allowances He said monthly allowances had been raised in stages over the years, with five categories of severe disability now covered under the BD200 rate. By January 2025, some 14,780 people were receiving support, issued under rules aimed at ensuring fairness in distribution. The minister added that the government's work extended beyond financial aid. Construction is in progress on a new facility, the Comprehensive Disability Centre, which will contain nine buildings and offer services in care, education and rehabilitation. International standards The project is expected to follow international standards for such centres. The ministry also provides BD1.2 million in yearly funding to 12 licensed non-governmental centres around the country. Al Alawi said the ministry is open to ideas from MPs and would continue to work with the Council to improve support for people with disa.
