Bahrain's Premier has directed millions of dinars for pay rises and bonuses for government employees.

Also, BD1,500 ($3,957) will be paid as extra bonus to staff with extraordinary achievements at national level like helping out in an emergency, crisis or disaster, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa issued a decree approving the salary and bonus benefits yesterday.

The benefits will cost BD6 million annually.

More than 15,000 married women employees in the public sector will have their social allowances increased, to ensure gender equality and activate the national model for integrating women's needs in development.

The telephone allowance for government employees has been renamed communication allowance and will now also include fax and the Internet, to encourage government departments to use modern technology in their work.

Civil Service Bureau president Ahmed Al Zayed yesterday praised the Prime Minister's decree, which, he said, will upgrade government work, performance and productivity.

The Supreme Council for Women said the decree ensures gender equality in the public sector and acknowledges women's crucial role in the country's development. - TradeArabia News Service