BAHRAIN's new unemployment benefit scheme, which will provide a safety net for job-seekers, will come into force on December 1, it was revealed yesterday.
The scheme is expected to put Bahrain on a par with advanced countries in terms of social insurance for its citizens.
The first stage came into force last Tuesday with the start of collecting contributions from the employers, employees and the government.
Each of them will contribute one per cent of the employee's salary towards the scheme.
Those who will receive benefits will fall into two categories, said Assistant Under-Secretary for Labour Affairs Jamil Humaidan.
New job-seekers, who hold a university diploma or degree, will get a monthly assistance of BD150, while undergraduates will get BD120.
"Beneficiaries are obliged to join the ministry's training programmes to qualify them for future jobs provided by the National Employment Project," said Mr Humaidan.
"Under the second category, people who lose jobs after paying contributions towards the scheme for a minimum period of 12 months will be eligible to receive 60 per cent of their salary every month, with a maximum of BD500 and a minimum of BD150.
"Expatriates will also be eligible to benefit under this category.
"The Labour Ministry will determine the circumstances under which they are compelled to stay in Bahrain and benefit from the scheme."
Those who want to benefit should now register with the Labour Ministry for jobs.
"They will be granted two chances to accept a reasonable job and if they refuse they will be taken out of the scheme," said Mr Humaidan.
"The ministry will also enrol them into a training programme.
"They will be eligible for unemployment benefits only if we fail to provide them with a reasonable job within six months."
The Labour Ministry and the General Organisation for Social Insurance (Gosi) will manage and run the scheme jointly, said Mr Humaidan.
"The ministry will be in charge of law implementation, registration of the unemployed, provision of training and deciding eligibility," he added.
Gosi insurance subscription director Dr Zakaria Sultan said Gosi would undertake a number of tasks including collecting subscriptions, paying pensions and aid and investing and managing the fund.
