The approved bill states that the head of a diplomatic delegation, stationed in any foreign country, is considered head of the consular mission and ensures the application of royal edicts and consular agreements in force are not violated.
The head of the mission is allowed to delegate part of the responsibilities or duties to another person in the delegation. Such a measure may be implemented in public interest
The law states that all heads of delegations in the country of posting will be given travel expenses. It also makes their families eligible for the allowance. Their major expenses, including daily expenses, will be compensated according to the laws of the land.
All the military, trade and cultural attaches will be assigned by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in consultation with the ministries from where the officers are selected. However, the payment of salaries and bonus to such officers will be the responsibility of the ministries concerned and not of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Payments for equal responsibility shall in no way be lesser than what Bahraini diplomats’ counterparts in other departments receive.
According to the amended law, members of the diplomatic corps are exempted from paying customs duty on the goods they carry home after completing their term in a country.
Attaches will report only to the head of the diplomatic mission and not to the ministries, the new law stipulates.
Pension and other benefits will be paid to diplomatic staff who retire at the age of 60. The age ceiling may be waived by the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs if the official’s service is sought for a longer term. The law says such officials can be in service for a maximum of four years.
It says all retirement benefits should be paid to an employee who takes voluntary retirement on health or other reasons.
Adequate compensation will be paid to any employee terminated for marrying a non-Bahraini without the consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their service will be cancelled from the date of their marriage.
A proposal to maintain the benefits was approved for officers terminated, censured, penalised for loss of honour from breach of trust, violation of duty or espionage and those who surrender Bahraini citizenship.
The committee also decided to award all benefits to officers who have to resign because they have voiced views to quit or died while in service. The amended law says resignations have to be addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs or the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and be unconditional.
Unless the resignation has been accepted, the official shall be considered to be in service. Any resignation is expected to be discussed in 30 days from the date of submission, failing which it shall be considered accepted.
The committee also approved promotion of members of the corps to higher salary grades.
According to the draft law, diplomats will follow the head of the mission and be under his supervision and follow his orders. The government can, on entering into agreement, transfer the responsibilities of any Bahrain consulate to the representative office of another Arab or foreign country.
In the absence of the head of the mission, the next senior shall take charge. However, the head shall, with prior permission of the ministry, hand over charge to a junior.
The ministry is allowed to hire honorary consul generals and their responsibilities will be decided by the ministry. Unless otherwise decided by the minister, such representatives will not be paid according to the new law.
Diplomatic missions will protect Bahrain’s interests considering the agreements and laws of the country of posting. In the event of a consultant, the remuneration will be decided by the ministry and the responsibilities made known by the executive body.
The minister has the right to delegate the responsibility to another person and those assigned the task will be compensated based on the law.
The Civil Service Law will be applicable where where the draft law is silent.
The executive order will be issued by a decision of the Minister of Cabinet Affairs. An executive order is to be issued in six months from date of issue of the order. The new law replaces any bill that contradicts it.
Once the new law has been issued in the local Press, ministers are expected to execute the law after three months from the date of issue.