DIPLOMATS, expatriates and human rights activists have strongly condemned a proposal to introduce two separate price scales for basic commodities for Bahrainis and foreigners.

MPs agreed earlier this month to study the possibility of introducing subsidised rates exclusively for local consumers.

They blamed inflation for rising crime and violence and voted to seek an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

MPs backed a blueprint put forward by parliament's financial and economic affairs committee, which includes increasing social aid and broader subsidies on consumer products.

They want a national campaign to instigate inflation-linked pay rises in the private and government sectors.

MPs also called for rice, sugar, children's milk and cooking oil to be added to the list of subsidised products.

But Bahrain Human Rights Society assistant general secretary Dr Abdulla Al Deerazi said separate price scales for Bahrainis and expatriates would be a violation of human rights.

"We don't agree with this because it is called discrimination," he said.

"Human rights are being violated when something like this is even considered and where else have you heard something like this?

"In any country, both expatriates and locals should be treated equally, at least when they're buying basic commodities."

Migrant Workers Protection Society chairwoman Mona Almoayyed said the subsidised rates must be available to all who are below the poverty line, whether expatriate or local.

"There must not be any discrimination against poor expatriates because many of them do not earn more than BD50," she said.

"The government is wrong to give the benefit of the subsidised rates to those who are well-off and this also includes expatriates because many are also doing well financially."

Pakistan Embassy community welfare counsellor Habib Gilani said such a policy would contradict the international principles of fair treatment.

"This will lead to the suffering of a large number of people as well as big confusion with different prices for locals and expatriates," he said.

"The salaries of expatriates are less than locals and they pay a large amount to get here in the first place.

"This move will only further suppress and trouble the expatriates rather than improving their living and working conditions."

Mr Gilani warned that such a policy could result in the breeding of corruption.

"Many malpractices can happen if a law like this comes into effect where a local and expatriate can jointly cheat the government," he said.

"An expatriate may ask a Bahraini to buy things for him in exchange for money and in this way both of them will benefit.

"As a student of economics, I believe this is interfering with the market forces and is against the basic principles of economics.

"A proper solution is to improve the country's economic condition."

Indian Embassy first secretary A K Bhatnagar was also not in favour of such a policy.

"If the prices of commodities are going to be subsidised, it must be uniform for all, regardless of the nationality," he said.

Co-ordination Committee of Indian Associations (CCIA) chairman Dr P V Cheriyan said inflation affects all residents, regardless of nationality and believes expatriates and locals should be treated equally.

"Expatriates have less income compared to locals and their salaries don't even increase," he said.

"The value of the Indian currency has gone up which means less money is sent back home to support the families.

"So the subsidised rates should be applicable to all alike, whether local or not."

Indian Community Relief Fund general secretary C R Nambiar described the proposal as "racist".

"Unemployed Bahrainis get money from government which is all fair because they deserve it," he said.

"But paying different amount for the same thing is absurd and unheard of."

Bangladesh Embassy first secretary Shameem Al Mamun said the move would not give a good impression of Bahrain to the world.

"Most of the expatriates in Bahrain are less paid than the locals for the same work and this will only mean more hardship for the expatriates," he said.

"If the government is giving subsidised rates, the expatriates should also have equal access to this, which will be most appreciated."

Chinese Embassy administrative affairs officer Zhao Ya cautioned that expatriates having to pay more for their shopping than locals would only make the country less attractive to foreign workers.

"We think it is understandable if the government chooses to carry out this policy, yet it could be harmful to the local economy, not immediately but in the long-term," he said.

Philippine Embassy Charge d'Affaires Indira Banares suggested Bahrain should come up with a more creative solution to tackle inflation that will not compromise people's well-being.

"Expatriates contribute largely to Bahrain's development, so they should also benefit from any subsidised rates given," she said.

American Women's Association (AMA) community service chairwoman Laila Hussain said that subsidised rates will not solve the problem of inflation and instead could be harmful to the government.

"This is not fair to the expatriates and it is better to find a solution that will benefit all residents and the government."

Bahrain Irish Society vice-chairwoman Edel Al Lahiq said that if the law came into effect, Bahrain would be the only country in the world to have such a policy.

"Everywhere in the world, whether locals or expatriates, people pay the same price for things they buy," she said.

"Nowhere, even in other GCC countries, does this happen and the Bahrain government has to work this out properly.

"It shouldn't matter what the nationality of the consumer is. Instead the salaries of the Bahrainis could be raised."

Strategic Publicity and Advertising Company chairman P Unnikrishnan said that it was fair to tax the expatriates like in other countries, but to charge different prices for commodities based on nationality was not practically possible.

"Inflation is an index of growth for any country but the government cannot differentiate between expatriates and locals when pricing their shopping," said the Indian.

Japanese Embassy second secretary Mikihiko Munemasa was tight-lipped about the move, saying he knew the government and parliament were discussing the issue.

"We are confident that this discussion will bring about a conclusion beneficial for Bahrainis and the world economy," he said. Both the British and US Embassy declined to comment. begena@gdn.com.bh