MPs push for social insurance and pension rights for Bahraini trainee doctors

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Parliament will on Tuesday consider a proposal calling on the government to register trainee doctors under the social insurance system and ensure pension contributions are paid throughout their training.

The proposal was submitted by MPs Hisham Al Ashiri, Jaleela Alawi, Mohsen Al Asboul, Mahmood Fardan and Hanan Fardan.

It follows concerns that Bahraini doctors in training, especially those supported through Tamkeen programmes, are missing out on years of service that ought to count towards retirement.

Data provided by the Health Ministry shows that out of 172 doctors trained between 2022 and 2024, only seven were registered with the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO).

Rights and stability

The Services Committee, which backed the proposal, said the move would help secure rights and stability for this group.

It cited Article 5(c) of the Constitution, which guarantees social protection in cases such as illness, unemployment and widowhood.

The committee said recording trainee years under the insurance system would ensure those years are included in end-ofservice calculations.

Doctors already employed in hospitals or health centres are covered automatically.

Salaries

Their salaries are subject to deductions under the existing laws. However, doctors placed under Tamkeen schemes are not formally employed and so are not enrolled unless they opt in voluntarily.

The Ministry of Health made this distinction clear in its submission, adding that the final position would be determined after all parties review the issue.

The Bahrain Medical Society said the problem lies with those on wage-support schemes.

These doctors receive fixed stipends and fulfil regular duties but remain outside the mandatory insurance framework.

Gap

The Society blamed the gap on the absence of a set budget and a lack of clarity over who is responsible for enrolling them.

The Social Insurance Organisation said coverage requires an employment contract.

It added that where training is structured to lead into work, the training period may be treated as part of that job.

In such cases, those doctors would fall under the Social Insurance Law. Even so, the Organisation said a separate legal arrangement would be needed to formalise this for all trainees.

Proposal

Dr Al Ashiri said the proposal seeks to prevent junior doctors from losing time that should be counted towards their pensions.

He argued that their commitment to public healthcare deserves formal recognition.

He said the move would not only honour their work ethic but also provide a degree of stability that the profession demands.

Concerns

Eman Al Murabati, CEO of the Social Insurance Organisation, acknowledged the MPs’ concerns.

She said the Organisation appreciated the reasoning behind the proposal but stressed that legislative amendments would be required.

A full reply is expected in the government’s written response.

The Services Committee has urged the Council to support the proposal.