Bill seeks to give seniors a 50% cut on state fees

TDT | Manama

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Lawmakers are proposing an Elderly Service Card for senior citizens, giving holders a minimum 50 per cent reduction on all state fees, including charges for official paperwork, municipal services, health services and other government-paid services.

The draft amendment to the elderly rights law is now before Parliament’s Services Committee.

The proposal targets Article 9 of Law 58 of 2009 on the rights of the elderly. Under the updated wording, the responsible ministry — working with the committee for elderly affairs — would issue the Elderly Service Card to Bahraini senior citizens.

The plan also allows card holders to benefit from discounted essentials offered voluntarily by private-sector companies. These reductions would cover medicines, food, household items and transport from participating firms.

Proposal sponsor Mohammed Al Maarafi said the change would replace the current arrangement, where discounts are limited to specific fees set by Cabinet decision. A single card with clear, fixed benefits, he argued, would give senior citizens a dependable package of support.

The explanatory memorandum adds that the proposal draws on international models used in other countries to extend broad benefits to older residents.