Bahrain: To Enforce Stricter Penalties for Marine Law Violations

The Daily Tribune, 20 February 2025: Bahrain is set to impose stricter penalties for those who harm its marine environment, with offenders facing up to a year in jail and fines reaching BD100,000.

The Shura Council is scheduled to vote on a proposal to intensify punishments for illegal fishing and other violations of marine laws.

This amendment to Article 33 of Bahrain Decree-Law No. 20/2002 seeks to enhance the law’s effectiveness by imposing heavier fines and longer sentences for those damaging Bahrain’s seas.

Currently, the law prescribes fines starting at BD500 and jail terms beginning at one month.

The proposed changes, already approved by the lower house, would increase prison sentences to a minimum of six months for certain offences, with severe breaches like large-scale poaching or pollution resulting in at least a year of prison.

The proposed fines would rise dramatically from BD3,000 to BD100,000.

Government bodies, including the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry, support the proposal, emphasising that tougher penalties are crucial to curbing overfishing and safeguarding Bahrain’s marine resources.

The Supreme Council for Environment has also endorsed the plan, highlighting that weak enforcement has allowed significant violations, such as coral reef damage and illegal sand dredging, to persist.

The Shura’s Public Utilities and Environment Committee has examined the draft law, considering government and legal perspectives, and concluded that the current law lacks sufficient deterrence, with penalties too lenient to prevent repeat offences.

While some regulations already impose strict penalties, others permit major violations to occur with minimal consequences.

Under the amendment, individuals caught using banned fishing gear, poaching in restricted areas, or disregarding temporary bans would face at least six months in prison and significantly higher fines.

The most severe penalties would target those responsible for large-scale violations, such as industrial waste dumping or fishing methods that devastate entire habitats.

Parliament approved the changes at the end of 2024, following consultations with government bodies and legal experts.

The Shura Council will now review the draft, with members expected to scrutinise the increased fines and extended jail terms before the final vote.

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Bahrain: Parliament Approves Immediate Housing Allowance Plan

The Daily Tribune, 12 February 2025: Bahrain’s Parliament has approved a proposal to eliminate the five-year waiting period for housing allowance payments, allowing families to receive financial support as soon as their applications are approved.

The initiative, described as long overdue, addresses the rising cost of living and aims to provide immediate relief to families, particularly newlyweds, who struggle with rent while awaiting assistance.

The current system, which requires applicants to wait five years before receiving any financial aid, has been criticised as an unnecessary burden on those already facing financial difficulties.

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Bahrain: MP Pushes For Law To Make Arabic Contracts Mandatory

The Daily Tribune, 7 February 2025: In Bahrain, the continued issuance of contracts in English, despite Arabic being the official language, has prompted a legislative push for change.

A member of parliament is advocating for a law that would mandate the use of Arabic in all contractual agreements.

This move aims to ensure that customers fully understand the terms they are agreeing to, as many currently sign documents they cannot read.

The proposed legislation would require companies to provide agreements in Arabic and supply official copies to clients.

This requirement aligns with Arabic’s status as the country’s official language, which should already dictate the language of legal documents.

Contracts written in English or other languages have led to numerous misunderstandings and court disputes, highlighting the need for clarity.

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Bahrain: Proposes Tough Penalties for Privacy Violations

The Daily Tribune, 3 February 2025: In Bahrain, a new legislative proposal is making waves as it seeks to impose stringent penalties on individuals who invade others’ privacy.

The proposed law, currently under discussion, aims to deter privacy violations by introducing severe consequences, including imprisonment and substantial fines.

This move reflects a growing recognition of the importance of personal privacy in the digital age, where unauthorised access to personal information has become increasingly prevalent.

The legislation highlights the commitment to safeguarding citizens’ rights and ensuring that privacy breaches are met with appropriate legal repercussions.

As the debate continues, the proposal has sparked significant public interest and discussion about the balance between security and personal freedom.

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Bahrain: Enforces Strict E-Commerce Compliance Rules

The Daily Tribune, 23 January 2025: The Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Bahrain has initiated a robust campaign aimed at regulating businesses involved in online retail sales, specifically those classified under ISIC code 4791.

This move highlights the ministry’s dedication to protecting both consumers and merchants while promoting a fair and transparent e-commerce landscape.

Business owners are now required to register their e-store links with the ministry and ensure their platforms offer efficient shopping carts for seamless product selection and purchase.

Secure payment options are also mandatory to safeguard financial data during transactions.

Additionally, clear policies on returns, exchanges, product usage, and data privacy must be prominently displayed on all e-stores, alongside reliable delivery services to guarantee timely product distribution.

The ministry has stressed that businesses with licences for online sales must refrain from using virtual stores to sell items that require prior approval from other government agencies.

This regulation is designed to prevent breaches and bolster consumer confidence in the sector.

Non-compliance with these requirements will lead to legal action, underscoring the ministry’s commitment to strengthening consumer protections and ensuring fair competition within Bahrain’s digital economy.

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Bahrain: Tightens Timeshare Rules

Gulf Insider, 19 January 2025: Bahrain has introduced a comprehensive new law to regulate timeshare activities, marking a significant advancement in consumer protection and industry transparency.

Ratified by the King, the 36-article legislation targets overselling and misleading advertising, imposing stringent penalties for violations, including fines up to BD 50,000 and potential licence suspensions.

This move positions Bahrain as a leader in setting high standards for the timeshare sector.

Under the new law, all timeshare projects must appoint a licensed manager to oversee daily operations, with the project owner remaining accountable for compliance.

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, or a designated body, will oversee licensing and ensure compliance to the law.

The authority is empowered to address breaches, with the ability to impose severe penalties based on the violation’s severity and impact.

Violators are notified in writing and given a chance to respond before any action is taken.

Public disclosure of breaches is permitted post-appeal or court ruling, and any criminal evidence found is forwarded to the Public Prosecution.

The licensing process for businesses is clearly defined, with a grievance process available for rejected applications.

Advertising is tightly regulated, allowing only licensed projects to market timeshare products, and banning misleading promotions and investment claims.

These rules extend to foreign projects advertised in Bahrain.

Consumer protection is a cornerstone of the law, offering a ten-day contract cancellation period with a full refund.

Escrow accounts are mandated to safeguard consumer payments, and overselling is prohibited to ensure consumers’ access to their timeshare slots. Beneficiaries can transfer or mortgage their rights, with automatic transfer to heirs upon death.

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority is tasked with enforcing these regulations, with inspectors granted judicial authority to ensure compliance.

Violators face severe penalties, including imprisonment and substantial fines.

Transparency is enhanced by requiring all contracts and transactions to be recorded in a timeshare registry, providing legal clarity and protecting consumers from disputes.

Licensed projects have six months to comply with the new regulations.

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Bahrain: Parliament Approves Draft Law To Ban Conversion Of Visit Visas Into Work Permits

The Daily Tribune, 15 January 2025: In a significant move to reform the labour market, Parliament has approved a draft law that prohibits the conversion of visit visas into work permits.

The proposed amendments target the 1965 Aliens (Immigration and Residence) Act, introducing a new article that explicitly bans the practice.

Additionally, the law includes provisions to annul any conflicting regulations and sets out guidelines for its implementation.

First introduced in May 2023, the draft law aims to prioritise employment opportunities for Bahraini nationals.

It aligns with the government’s long-term labour market strategy, which emphasises placing Bahraini citizens at the forefront of hiring while enhancing their skills through comprehensive training programmes.

The legislation reflects a broader effort to strengthen local employment prospects and reduce dependency on foreign labour in certain sectors.

The draft law will now proceed through the legislative process for final approval and enactment.

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