MANAMA — The Bahrain government said on Monday will continue to pay 50 percent of the wages for Bahrainis working in private sector businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic from October to December, the Bahrain News Agency reported. The decision, which was taken during a virtual session of the weekly Cabinet meeting chaired by Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, will benefit 23,000 Bahraini citizens and 4,000 establishments. The government shouldered 100 percent of the wages from April to June and then 50 percent for affected sectors from July to September. At the outset of the session, the Bahraini Cabinet praised King Hamad's speech at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which reaffirmed the importance of preserving world peace for a better future for all and Bahrain's position for a just and comprehensive peace with the establishment of an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the Arab Peace Initiative. The Cabinet commended those who participated in the COVID-19 clinical trials, adding that the Kingdom has received 6,000 volunteers over a period of six weeks. The Cabinet noted that this turnout reflects the awareness and noble humanitarian values exhibited by the kingdom's citizens and residents in support of national efforts aimed to combat the virus. The Cabinet noted the importance of ensuring a further 1,700 volunteers are available to guarantee the success of the clinical trials and to identify the availability of safe and effective treatment for the benefit of mankind. The Bahrain Cabinet also praised the diplomatic and humanitarian achievements of Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, which received international recognition, adding that the Emir's efforts have had a positive impact on all. The Cabinet called for reducing tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh territory. The Cabinet highlighted the importance of resorting to dialogue and peaceful methods to resolve differences within the framework of international law and UN Security Council decisions in order to achieve security and stability in the region and the world.
