Manama: Bahrain is planning to provide its senior citizens with special cards that will offer them discounts in several sectors.
Under the plan, which was endorsed by the cabinet at its weekly session, the elderly will have 50 per cent discounts on a range of services including construction fees, ownership certificates, municipality fees on rented houses and flats, driving licence and passport renewal, the issuance of national identity cards, fees to employ a domestic helper or to hire a worker and fees on hospital rooms at Salmaniya Medical Complex.
“The decision is part of the keen interest of the government in supporting senior citizens and boosting their right to live in dignity,” a spokesman said following the session.
The social development ministry was asked to coordinate with the finance ministry and other institutions to take the legal measures to issue the cards and prepare the implementation procedures, the spokesman said.
Several lawmakers have been pressing for social measures to help improve people’s living conditions.
