Unemployment Aid
Basic Information
Country
Geographic area
Programme Details
Programme objectives
To protect those without jobs from poverty; to prevent the negative social and political effects of unemployment; to expand the social safety net.
ILO. 2017. “Unemployment Insurance Fund. Bahrain.” International Labour Organization website. Accessed 21 September 2017. <http://www.ilo.org/dyn/ilossi/ssimain.viewScheme?p_lang=en&p_scheme_id=1197&p_geoaid=48>.
Ministry of Labour and Social Development. 2009. Unemployment Insurance in Bahrain. Manama: Government of Bahrain, Ministry of Labour and Social Development. Accessed 21 September 2017. <http://css.escwa.org.lb/SDD/1162/presentations_6.pdf>.
Programme components
Unemployment Aid comprises the non-contributory benefits for first-time job seekers and covers regulated and contributory unemployment benefits (for employees in the private sector and civil servants) under Decree no. 78/2006
Start date
2006
ILO. 2017. “Unemployment Insurance Fund. Bahrain.” International Labour Organization website. Accessed 21 September 2017. <http://www.ilo.org/dyn/ilossi/ssimain.viewScheme?p_lang=en&p_scheme_id=1197&p_geoaid=48>.
Coverage
28,000 individuals in 2021
MOLSD Annual Report 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016
Programme expenditure
Amount of cash transfers: BHD397,020 in 2010
Source of funding: The unemployment insurance scheme is financed by contributions of 3 per cent of the wage shared between workers, employers and the government
ILO. 2017. “Unemployment Insurance Fund. Bahrain.” International Labour Organization website. Accessed 21 September 2017. <http://www.ilo.org/dyn/ilossi/ssimain.viewScheme?p_lang=en&p_scheme_id=1197&p_geoaid=48>.
Targeting and eligiblity
Targeting methods
Categorical Targeting
Targeted areas
Nationwide
Target groups
Unemployed
Eligibility criteria
First-time job seeker; at least 18 years of age; must not be engaged in gainful activity or own a business; must be capable of working and available to work
SSA. 2016. “Bahrain.” Social Security Administration website. Accessed 21 September 2017. <https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2016-2017/asia/bahrain.html>.
Coverage and other information
Type of benefits
Cash
Amount of benefits
BHD200 (up from BHD150 after the amendment of the Law in 2019) per month for university graduates and BHD150 BD (up from BHD120 as per amendment of the Law in 2019) per month for those without a university degree.
IPC-IG. The State of Social Protection in Bahrain. April 2022.
Payment/delivery frequency
Monthly
SSA. 2016. “Bahrain.” Social Security Administration website. Accessed 21 September 2017. <https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2016-2017/asia/bahrain.html>.
Minimum and maximum duration of benefits (if any)
Maximum of six months
SSA. 2016. “Bahrain.” Social Security Administration website. Accessed 21 September 2017. <https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2016-2017/asia/bahrain.html>.
Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and frequency
Monthly statistical reports include the number of beneficiaries, the number of job seekers and the unemployment rate
Ministry of Labour and Social Development. 2009. Unemployment Insurance in Bahrain. Manama: Government of Bahrain, Ministry of Labour and Social Development. Accessed 21 September 2017. <http://css.escwa.org.lb/SDD/1162/presentations_6.pdf>.
Legal Framework
Decree no. 78/2006 “Unemployment Insurance Fund. Bahrain.”
International Labour Organization website. Accessed 21 September 2017. <http://www.ilo.org/dyn/ilossi/ssimain.viewScheme?p_lang=en&p_scheme_id=1197&p_geoaid=48>.