POVERTY IN BAHRAIN Bahrain Centre for Human Rights stated that half of Bahraini citizens are suffering from poverty and poor living standards. This figure was based on official statistics and studies on number of unemployed Bahrainis, benificiaries of social aid who are unable to work and employees with low income. In its report, BCHR stated that based on official figures and studies there are 20,000 unemployed Bahrainis, while the opposition estimate the number to be more than 30,000. If the average of these figures is taken, in addition to their dependents who are affected by the unemployment, the number will exceed 80,000 people. It worth mentioning that the unemployed and their dependents are not receiving any social security aids in contradiction with the Constitution. The report also revealed that the number of households who are unable to work and those who receive financial assistance from Ministry of Labour and Charitable contribution from Charity Funds Association exceeds 20,000 families, which are around 80,000 people whom each receive BD 18 per month. While, the poverty level(Poverty Income Threshold) for a household, according to the official studies, statements, is BD 309 per month. The report revealed that according to official figure, quarter of employed Bahrainis live below the poverty level of BD 309 per month. That brings the total of Bahrainis suffering from poverty and poor living conditions to around 2,00,000 people (half of total Bahrainis). The report stated that the poverty rate is increasing in Bahrain at the same time as the average income is increasing. This shows the large differences between classes of income and living standards. A survey conduct by Bahrain Monetary Agency found that while the poverty rate is increasing, there are 5,200 wealthy people in Bahrain. The surveys showed that the average wealth of each of them reaches US $4.2 millions, which is above the International average of wealthy people of US $3.8 millions. The same survey indicated that the private wealth in Bahrain worth around US $20 to 30 billions. The report pointed out that poverty and miserable conditions of citizens are caused by unequal distribution of wealth, waste of public money, financial and adminstrative corruption, poor planning and dumping the market with low wage foreign workers who constitute 60% of the labour force. The report also pointed out that the continuation and dominations of small group of influential powerful people on the National Economy, both in private and public sectors, are considered as a barrier to real reforms.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 10:14:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015