Rising burdens

MPs seek public debate on government measures to address escalating living expenses and business costs

TDT | Manama

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Parliament has asked for a public debate to question the government on how it is dealing with the social and economic strain linked to rising prices, after recent changes that MPs say have pushed up household costs and business bills.

The request calls for an open discussion in Parliament to press ministers on their plan for coping with higher living costs and inflation-linked pressures.

The MPs behind it named MP Hassan Ibrahim to speak first.

“This request comes against the backdrop of a range of fast-moving economic changes,” Ibrahim said, pointing to fuel price changes, higher electricity and water bills, and increased labour market fees, along with rising costs for some key inputs used by businesses.

Impact

He said the impact was being felt in day-to-day life and in running costs across the economy.

“These changes have produced cumulative, direct and indirect effects that have reached various aspects of daily living,” he said. “They have affected the ability of many national institutions, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to continue and to meet their contractual and financial obligations.”

Ibrahim said steps with a wide financial reach should come with clear support to ease the hit on households and firms.

“Any decisions with wide financial impact should be accompanied by supportive policies and clear mitigating measures,” he said, adding that these steps should take account of different incomes and levels of spending power.

Protection

MPs want the government to explain how it plans to strengthen consumer protection as prices rise, and to spell out how fuel prices are reviewed and how decisions are weighed against people’s ability to pay.

They are also asking what will be done to deal with older contracts and tenders that have become harder to deliver because costs have risen, and what support is planned for contractors and suppliers facing new bills that were not expected when agreements were signed.

The request presses for details on support for the private sector as operating costs rise, including steps meant to help national firms avoid financial trouble, keep the job market stable and prevent any knockon effect on citizens or service quality.

It also asks about projects already under way, including how higher energy and service costs are affecting financing and whether contracted firms can keep work moving.

Clarity

MPs want clarity too on the role of the Labour Fund Tamkeen in rolling out support schemes and new initiatives to help firms cope with changes in energy and service pricing.

Another key point is the middle class, which MPs describe as heavily exposed to repeated rises in living costs while not always covered by support aimed at lower-income groups. MPs want the government to explain it plans.