14. I n the field of economic, social and cultural rights, and specifically with regard to the right of
persons with disabilities to enjoy a decent standard of living, the Law No. came (7) for the year 2009
added an article to the Legislative Decree No. (10) of 1976 concerning appropriate housing to ensure
that the situation of persons with disabilities or their families should be taken into account in the
allocation of housing and the importance of the existence of special equipment suited for the type
of disability, which is in line with what is indicated by the International Convention related to the
need for this category’s equality with others in decent living by enabling them to take advantage of
those services.
15. T
he provisions of Law No. (40) of 2010 amending some provisions of Law No. (74) for the year 2006
regarding the care and rehabilitation and employment of the disabled, provided a legal coverage for
the provision of social assistance to persons with disabilities by giving them a monthly allowance of
one hundred dinars at least for the purpose of upgrading their living standards. In this regard, the
concerned ministry issued an ID for a person with a disability, granting him varying proportions of
reductions on certain goods and services. This was noted by the NIHR through the website of the
Ministry of Labour and Social Development, which had a list of support for this project which aims
to improve the standard of living for this category.
16. Also, people who suffer from some diseases that may make them in the advanced stages of the
disease were included in the ranks of persons with disabilities, such as patients with severe sickle
cell anemia, and MS, the genetic blood disease (thalassemia), and given services provided by the
state. Where the NIHR noted that some official authorities such as the Ministry of Interior, the
Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and Social Development, held meetings with representatives
of a number of associations that deal with these diseases, which have been working to facilitate
access to services provided by the State, through the provision of medicines and treatment or by
issuing special ID cards for the purpose of facilitating their access to medical services and treatment
in health centers or use special areas allocated to the disabled. They also work on issuing cards on
behalf of people with special needs. The Institution also noted that the disabilities division at the
University of Bahrain provided a special card to students who suffer from severe sickle cell anemia,
and opened a health file at the university clinic in order to provide facilitative services and the
attention commensurate with their state of health. The NIHR hopes the rest of the universities and
educational centers would follow suit.
17. With respect to the right of persons with disabilities to work, the provisions of Law No. (74) for
the year 2006 on the care and rehabilitation and employment of the disabled affirmed the principle
of equality in the enjoyment of all labor rights and benefits for the disabled with others without
any discrimination, while obliging establishments employing a total of more than fifty workers to
employ 2% of workers with disabilities, and this obligation covers all government agencies and
public institutions and organizations in the state.
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