MP pushes for public-sector pay rise to cope with rising cost of living

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

MP Jalal Kadhem has called for an immediate rise in public-sector pay, saying grade and salary scales need a full update to match the cost of living.

He said the last government pay rise was fourteen years ago.

“We need an urgent, acrossthe-board update of grade and salary tables to keep pace with economic changes and the growing living needs of citizens and public employees,” Kadhem said.

He pointed to repeated price rises, higher costs for essential goods and services, inflation and the introduction of Value Added Tax.

Purchasing power

“These pressures have added to families’ bills and weakened purchasing power,” he said.

“Day-to-day living has become a heavy load on citizens. Putting matters right cannot wait. An urgent pay rise is essential to secure a decent standard of living and to meet growing family needs,” he said.

Kadhem said updating the scales would bring greater fairness among staff and lift output and work quality.

“Revising the grade and salary tables will help pay keep pace with inflation and ease the strain caused by higher prices and living costs,” he said.

Pressure

He added that a pay rise would lift spending power, support local trade and help overall growth, while easing social pressures from incomes falling behind living costs.

Kadhem said Parliament will continue to work on steps and laws that serve citizens and raise living standards, urging the government to act without delay.