Environmental Politics: Bahrain's Laws and Recommendations

This report provides an overview of environmental politics in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It begins by discussing the disadvantages of parking heavy-duty vehicles in residential areas, the relevant laws, and recommendations for minimizing disturbances. The report then analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of child labor age law and the retirement age law, offering suggestions for improvement. Furthermore, it examines the pros and cons of allowing a commercial registrar of employees in the government sector. The report concludes with recommendations on how businesses could benefit from fewer restrictions in Bahrain. Key topics include traffic regulations, labor laws, and their impact on the environment and society. The report also provides an overview of the traffic restrictions imposed on the movement of trucks and heavy vehicles, and the discussion on the development projects on roads for tackling traffic jams and improving public transport. The report also includes a section on the advantages and disadvantages of the child labor age law, along with recommendation to make the law more stringent in terms of pornography and trafficking. The report also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of retirement age law and also mentions that the increase in the retirement age will lead to a decrement of the pressure on the pension funds.

Running head: ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS
Environmental Politics
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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Executive Summary:
The report gives an overview of the disadvantages of parking heavy-duty vehicles on the
residential areas of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The report also mentions about what the law of
Bahrain says about parking of heavy duty vehicles in residential areas. In respect to this, there is
recommendation on how these heavy-duty vehicles can take necessary precautions in creating
minimal disturbance. The report also describes the advantages and disadvantages of child labor
age law and the retirement age law in the country. In this regard, there is recommendation
mentioned on how the child labor age law and the retirement age law can make necessary
changes for betterment. The report also mentions the advantages and disadvantages of allowing
the commercial registrar of employees on the government sector. Further, the report also
mentions the necessary recommendation that focuses on how a business could benefit in Bahrain
if there were absolutely no restriction.

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
1. a. Disadvantages of Parking Trucks in Residential Areas...........................................................3
1. b. The Statement of the Law.......................................................................................................4
1. c. Recommendations....................................................................................................................6
2. a. Advantages of Child Labor Age Law......................................................................................7
2. b. Disadvantages of Child Labor Age Law.................................................................................8
2. c. Recommendation.....................................................................................................................8
2. d. Advantages of Retirement Age Law........................................................................................9
2. e. Disadvantages of Retirement Age Law...................................................................................9
2 .f. Recommendation...................................................................................................................10
3. a. Advantages of Allowing Commercial Registrar of Employees in Government Sector........12
3. b. Disadvantages of Allowing Commercial Registrar of Employees in Government Sector....13
3. c. Recommendations..................................................................................................................14
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................15
References......................................................................................................................................16

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Introduction:
The report is a discussion on the disadvantages of parking heavy-duty vehicles like trucks
in the residential areas, the laws governing it and the necessary recommendations required for
improving situations. There is also discussion on the disadvantages and advantages of child
labor age law and the retirement age in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the necessary
recommendations. The report also put forward the advantages and disadvantages of allowing the
commercial registrar of employees on the government sector along with the necessary
recommendations.
1. a. Disadvantages of Parking Trucks in Residential Areas
There are certain habits in drivers that remain thoroughly ingrained in a manner that they
do not even consider these habits as dangerous or wrong. These drivers come to their senses
whenever there is an occurrence of an accident because of their foolishness (Saleh and Kumar
2012). There are other habits of the drivers that although not dangerous but sometime can create
potential problems on the road that are not problematic to the road users but at the same time
patently unlawful. One such habit includes parking heavy-duty vehicles in residential areas
Parking trucks on residential areas not only hinders the movement of the vehicles
but also leads to the disruption of the rhythm of life led by people. This is because parking lots
around residential building meant for parking use of only the residents for ensuring parking close
to their homes (Gehl and Svarre 2013). This heavy-duty truck often creates congestion thereby
hindering normal flow of the vehicles in the residential areas. In addition to this, parking trucks
also blocks the walking area in the residential area during particular times of the day. Further, the

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parking of trucks on the residential areas also creates disturbance in the neighborhood in terms of
noise, dust, vibration, fumes and odor. The parking of heavy vehicles even can cause major
damage to the infrastructures that is below as well as above the ground. Emergency service
personnel denied access to infrastructure such as drainage pipes, gas, sewage, water and
telecommunications if such heavy-duty vehicles parked in a residential locality. There may be
cases where the pedestrians might be unaware of the oncoming truck that can lead to risk.
Parking of the heavy-duty truck also provides restriction of access to the pram and wheelchair
users.
Moreover, drivers must know that Heavy Trucks with a considerable length of 7.5 meters
and weight of 4.5 tomes does not get permission for parking on the roads or in residential areas
for duration more than an hour between sunrise and sunset (Serkin 2015). However, for parking
such a vehicle on residential property requires obtaining permission from the local units of law.
In cases, where a homeowner wants to park a heavy truck in his residential zone that
contained all the tools and equipments required for his business, he needs to regulate the parking
regulations and determine if any permit is required. Further, it is also necessary for the drivers
even if he is a resident of the area to review laws of the zone, regulations for parking, recorded
covenants and knowledge about the history of property usage.
1. b. The Statement of the Law
The Traffic authorities of Bahrain have decided to impose restriction on the rush hour for
the movement of the trucks and heavy vehicles for reducing congestion (Shaaban 2014). Thus, at
the meeting of Traffic Council chaired by Interior Minister Lt Gen Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al
Kahlifa agreed on restriction of the movement of heavy vehicles from 6.30 am to 8 am and 2 pm

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to 3 pm. Further, the council also reviewed the relation that existed between number of accidents
and vehicles and further recommended ways for dealing with traffic jams. There was also
discussion on undertaking the development projects on roads for tackling traffic jams and
improving public transport. There was also discussion on opening of 3,971new parking lots so
that the heavy trucks do not get a scope for parking in the residential areas (Awadhalla et.al
2016). Further discussion on allocation of parking space in crowded localities were employed
along with deployment of traffic patrols and placement of CCTV camera all possible locations.
However, decision on the layout design for an off-street car park should not only consider
entire facility but also include circulation roadways, parking modules, access driveways
including frontage road access as an integrated design (Ben-Hamouche 2013). However, traffic
provision within a facility for parking will ensure taking into account the following:
1. The requirement for traffic for moving to and from the frontage road with minimalistic
traffic disruption and ensuring safety to the pedestrian
2. Ensuring provision for sufficient capacity in the circulation roadways and the parking
aisle for handling movements of the peak period
3. Arranging internal roadways for avoiding conflicts between the intersecting streams of
the traffic in circulation
4. Ensuring safer treatments for conflict points with other road users and pedestrian
5. Ensuring provision for parking spaces and accessible pathways for disabled people

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1. c. Recommendations
The parking of a heavy vehicle like Truck that exceeded 3 ton weight should put forward
an application for development where in the development applications of parking for the heavy
vehicles will fall in the category of 1 or 3 implying the impact in the amenity of the localities and
impact on the properties of neighborhood (Alsabbagh 2015). The applications should include the
operational details and whether it is to be loaded or unloaded when parked. There should be
mention of the fact that whether any repair work or any kind of servicing is necessary on the
parking site. Further, there should also be a mention of whether the driver will be residing in the
site of parking. Moreover, there should be adequate space for parking the truck so that they do
not impose problems in the residential area. The heavy-duty vehicle should find parking in a
location that is convenient and safe for all. Before, parking the vehicle in front of any residential
area there should be adequate care on the driveways that leads to the parking zone and is able to
withstand the weight of the vehicle thereby minimizing dust. The parking of the vehicle should
not cause any sort of disturbance to the adjoining neighborhood in terms of fumes, vibration,
odor, dust and noise. Further, any kind of maintenance activities must be of minor nature
(Hayhoe 2014). There should not be any transshipment of the freight carried out in the residential
property. Further, the entry of these heavy-duty vehicles should maintain a particular time for
parking on normal days and on national holidays.
2. a. Advantages of Child Labor Age Law
In Bahrain, only a small number of children perform non-hazardous task in Manama
Central Market and few of these children work in family businesses (Murray 2013). Therefore,
the Child Labor Age Law of Bahrain forbids employment of children who are younger than 14
years. Provided if minors in the age group of 14 to16 made to work then they must not work

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more than 6 hours per day that would include one hour of rest during the daytime. The law also
mentions that minors should not work on an overtime basis and made a payment on a piece rate
basis. There are a list of occupations mentioned in the law including quarrying, oil refining,
construction, butchering and any work involving lifting of heavy loads or provides direct contact
with asbestos, furnaces, explosives, cranes, electricity, poisonous dust, vapors and fumes.
Moreover, the concept of compulsory labor outlawed and the employers found guilty of using
the forced labor can land up with 10 years of imprisonment (Karolak 2012.). The law also
mentions prostitution under the age of 18 to be illegal and is punishable with an imprisonment
that varies from three to ten years. The law also mentions that child pornography should not be a
part of publications, pictures and other forms of media that in a way violates morale of the
public. The law also mentions that crimes related to trafficking prosecuted. The law also
mentions that children from the age of 17 years can be a part of the Bahrain Defense Force.
2. b. Disadvantages of Child Labor Age Law
The Child Labor Age Law does not completely outlaw child pornography although it
mentions punishment for any kind of illegal print related to child pornography, display
publication and other media forms that leads to violation of public morals. This can sometimes
lead to forced child labor for the purpose of pornography (Khan 2014). Moreover, the law also
does not prohibit trafficking but ensures prosecution in terms of crime related to trafficking. This
loophole provides a medium for people to indulge in criminal activities that include forced
prostitution, abduction, kidnapping and exposing children to danger.

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2. c. Recommendation
The Child Labor Law of Bahrain should be more stringent in terms of pornography and
trafficking. Further, Bahrain must mention that the working age to be 15 for avoiding issues
related to child labor and at the same time ensuring that the students complete their education
before venturing into the workforce (Al-Ghanim 2012). Mostly the children from the
marginalized or improvised communities mostly opt for child labor therefore; Kingdom of
Bahrain should ensure enough aids to the families for survival so they do not send their children
to work as labor.
2. d. Advantages of Retirement Age Law
The Kingdom of Bahrain has a new labor law that has increased the retirement age from
60 to 65 or even 70 mentioned by Supreme Health Council president Lieutenant General and
chairman of Al Hekma Society for Pensioners, Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
The average increase in life expectancy in the Kingdom of Bahrain rose up to 65 for men and 77
for women result of the availability of quality health services (Juhmani 2012). The increase in
the retirement age will lead to a decrement of the pressure on the pension funds run by the
general authority for retirement that eventually rose after the increase in the number of retired
employees who had investment in fund assets and scarcity in revenues on either a real estate or
financial aspect. The increase in the retirement age for the women also encouraged women to
join the work force who initially faced restrictions of work hours and conditions.

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2. e. Disadvantages of Retirement Age Law
Considering the environment in Bahrain that is not only tough with summer temperature
summer ranging up to 45 degrees, expecting such high life expectancy is not possible. The tough
conditions might not allow the people to survive until the age of retirement.
Moreover, the new labor law has imposed certain stringent measures for the employees
that calls for termination of the employee for their poor performance leaving little scope for
survival in the job and continue until the retirement. In such cases, the termination of the
employees depends on a notice period of 60 days, considered sufficient for judging their poor
performance (De Silva de Alwis 2014). Moreover, such termination does not include any
compensation. Further, the employees made to face tough penalties for not complying with the
laws that might ensure imprisonment of the employees up to three months. Under, such stringent
Labor Laws, the employees might be unable to continue the job and enjoy the retirement benefits
although there might be leniency in retirement age law of the Kingdom of Bahrain (Pallares-
Miralles, Romero and Whitehouse 2012).
2 .f. Recommendation
The increase in the retirement age will enable the workers to claim the entire retirement
benefits. This increment can also increase social security solvency. This is necessary for getting
advantage in health care. The implementation of policies is in a manner so that no employees
deprived of their desired benefits. The increase in the age of retirement will also enable the
employees to get better coverage in insurance against death, old age and disability where they
contribute only 6% that can increase to 8 % after the age of 50 (Ebrahim 2016). This increment
will also give the employees employment benefits in the form of insurance and discard the fear

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of losing their job by increasing their contribute from 1% to 10% so that people losing the job at
an older age due to the stringent labor policies does not feel lost. Thus, though there have been
laws for increment in the retirement age, certain policies should also be implemented to take care
of adverse situations.
3. a. Advantages of Allowing Commercial Registrar of Employees in Government Sector
Commercial Registrar of employees in the government sector refers to the prerequisites
for ensuring activities related to business and employment along with a provision of submitting a
complaint or feedback.
The commercial company’s law ensures providing the government sector with foreign
capital. There are certain restrictions on some business activities in Bahrain whereas some
activities especially cater to the Bahraini nationals. However, there is restriction on certain real
estate services, services related to publication and press, printing services, operation and
management of film distribution and cinema theatres, television and film services, land
transportation of passengers, tourist and goods, domestic sea cruises, hajj and umra services, car
rentals, foreign supply of work force, small business activities and commercial agencies(Zalatar,
2012). However, the business activities solely meant for the nationals of Gulf Co-operation
(GCC) and the Bahrainis include accounting and bookkeeping services, export, import and sale
of fuel for racing car, clearing of cargo and fishing. Moreover, restrictions also apply for trading
that requires a Bahrani partner with a minimum ownership of 51%. The national entities of GCC
require at least one Bahraini partner with the travel agencies and tourist office asking for the
requirement of a Bahrani partner. In case of medical centers and clinics, licenses only confirmed

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to the citizen of Bahrain with the required medical qualification. In addition to this, Pharmacies
also needs to have a Bahrani Pharmacist for effective operation.
According to the recently amended commercial law companies needs to be partly
or fully owned by a shareholder of non-Bahraini origin for practicing activities for nationals of
Bahrain where the nationals have a majority of share hold. The ministers of the council help in
determining the activities that the foreign ownership companies must undertake (Saleh 2012).
There is also a necessity of approval from the council of ministers and minister of commerce for
the operation of the companies with substantial foreign capital that might result in a return that is
profitable for the economy of Bahrain.
However, as far as employees are concerned the contracts must be in the written form
otherwise the employee can ensure establishment of rights through the available evidences. Thus,
the acquirement of the right of an employee can be through the employment contract in the
government sector, through labor regulations or according to the practice and customs.
Therefore, the important particulars of the contract include the employer’ commercial
registration number, address and employer’s name (Nunn 2012). There is also a mention of
employee name date of birth, position, qualification, address, identification and nationality. The
contract will also mention the type and nature if the work along with the duration of the
employment. The privileges, salaries and time and mode of payment is also finds a mention in
the contract. The contract also has mention of the implied terms or collective agreements that
apply in maintaining the employee relationship provided they are more beneficial than the
provisions of the labor law.