‘Reduce allowance of expats’

Manama : A Bahraini lawmaker has called for reducing expats’ allowances by 50pc yesterday.

Financial and Economic Affairs Committee Member Jalal Kadhem Al Mahfoudh called for reducing the bonuses and allowances expats receive in the public sector.

The MP said that “this will reflect positively on the Kingdom’s economy and comes within the correct diversion of revenues, ” adding that reducing 50pc of expats allowances will serve this purpose.

Al Mahfoudh noted to a similar procedure followed in Kuwait. “Kuwait recently reduced the allowances and bonuses granted to expats. This experiment should be implemented in Bahrain as it was proven to be beneficial for the national economy of Kuwait,” he said referring to the reduction of around KWD90 (BD168.5) to KWD60 (BD74.60) off expats bonuses in Kuwait.

“The bonuses expats receive in Bahrain are not available for Bahrainis. Some expats receive monthly housing allowances of up to BD500. These amounts can be saved to benefit the economy,” Al Mahfoudh suggested.

“Our national duty motivates us to find alternative revenues and reduce our public spending. These funds should be directed to the right place,” he added.