A BOUNTY scheme for border personnel who intercept illegal drugs, weapons and other contraband has been blocked by the Shura Council.
Parliament proposed that civil servants at Bahrain's borders get a bonus or share of the value of any contraband intercepted - partly to ease the temptation to accept bribes.
It also proposed giving some personnel monthly danger allowances.
Councillors said the proposal discriminated against other civil servants who work in other jobs that are more dangerous.
They said that the current Civil Service Bureau by-laws already offer allowances whenever necessary and already give bonuses to outstanding employees.
The proposed law has been approved twice by parliament and rejected twice by the council, which means that members of both chambers must have a National Assembly meeting to vote, which has never been held.
There are 30 pending legislations since 2006, which are yet to be resolved by the assembly.
Councillor Dalal Al Zayed said that such a law was not necessary since the Civil Service Bureau already provided allowances and bonuses wherever and whenever asked.
"We don't need a separate law for civil servants at the borders, who are doing their jobs by protecting the country and if the bureau decides to give them allowances or bonuses then that's up to their judgement," she said.
"It is unfair for others who have more dangerous jobs or those working under extreme circumstances to be left out.
"If we approve this discriminatory law, then we will be seeing thousands of workers protesting at our gates asking for laws to cover them.
"Most of the confiscated merchandise or weapons are destroyed, so how can a percentage of the haul get calculated and from where will the bonuses be paid?," said Mr Al Zayed.
Councillor Fouad Al Haji said that the allowance would open the gate for medical staff to ask for danger allowances as well.
However, councillor Faisal Fullad said that the proposed law would help ensure that employees were not tempted with bribes.
"This law is fair and will ensure that traffickers don't tempt employees to turn their backs on smuggled items, considering that they will be rewarded if they catch them," he said.
