The move followed demands in parliament and by the labour union for a salary boost to match the rising cost of living. The salary of a civil servant is 300 dinars ($ 800) a month. Minister for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Ahmad bin Atiyatullah Al Khalifa said after a cabinet meeting that the hike would cost the government 47.8m dinars ($ 127m) until the end of the year and 131.5m dinars ($ 349m) in 2008.
