The government has expanded the scope of its financial stimulus package to benefit other social segments which bear the brunt of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the GDN reported today.

The scheme will benefit 950 taxi, public transport, and bus drivers who will be paid BD300 for three months – through the Tamkeen financial schemes.

The three-month lifeline will also benefit 829 driving instructors – providing they have commercial registers of pension salaries.

Full salaries will also be paid to 422 pre-school employees and 102 kindergarten workers who are not covered by the General Organisation for Social Insurance (Gosi) through Tamkeen for three months.

The lifeline was announced as His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired the weekly Cabinet session.

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, took part in the virtual session.

The Premier paid tribute to Bahrain’s workers, hailing their vital role in promoting development and building the national economy.
He hailed their efforts, along with their trade unions, to preserve labour gains in the prosperous era of His Majesty King Hamad.

The Premier’s tribute marks International Workers’ Day, which will fall on Friday.

The Premier reiterated support for freedom of the Press to continue playing its pivotal role in enlightening the public and highlighting facts.
He paid tribute to the fourth estate, which mirrors social trends, as Bahrain prepares to mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3, said Cabinet secretary general Dr Yasser Al Nasser.

• The Premier directed officials to submit a report on the fast response of the National Ambulance Service to patients and affected people.
  The report will also assess the competence of employees in charge of delivering ambulance services in light of current exceptional circumstances.
• National football team players who won the Gulf Cup (Khaleeji 24) will be granted housing units – subject to eligibility terms. The Cabinet approved a parliamentary proposal in this regard.
• The Cabinet followed up on the progress of work on 96 development projects worth BD311 million. These include 15 road projects (BD129m), 49 sanitary drainage projects (BD118m) and 32 construction projects (BD64m).
• The Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Ministry reported 32 tenders worth BD92m over the first quarter – of these 24, worth BD16m, were awarded in the three sectors.