The operation of health clubs, spas and similar establishments should be restricted to only 4- and 5-star hotels, MPs insist.
The urgent measure cited overcrowding, repeated violations and the ‘negative impact’ of unregulated salons on tourism and urban life in a popular part of the Capital Governorate.
It was unanimously approved yesterday and calls for a complete reorganisation of health club and spa licences within constituency one covering Hoora, Gudaibiya, Seef, the Diplomatic Area and Bahrain Financial Harbour.
The proposal by five MPs, led by public utilities and environment affairs committee vice-chairman Mohammed Janahi and includes Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam, has been referred to the Cabinet for review.
Mr Janahi said the situation in the district had reached an unsustainable level. “We have an excessive number of salons operating in a very small area, and this has created serious traffic congestion, parking problems and disturbance to residents,” he told Parliament.
“Allowing small shops to continue offering health-club-type services harms the tourism image of the Capital Governorate. We need order, quality and proper regulation.”
He added that limiting such activities to top-tier hotels would raise service standards, enhance Bahrain’s tourism competitiveness and reduce opportunities for malpractice.
“This step ensures compliance with health, environmental and safety rules and protects customers from violations that have unfortunately become common in some outlets,” Mr Janahi claimed.
The explanatory memorandum highlighted four key aims: reducing overcrowding of health clubs in a narrow urban area, ensuring compliance with regulatory and health standards, tackling traffic congestion caused by club patrons and improving governance related to licensing and oversight.
Mr Janahi stressed that the proposal was not made lightly but out of necessity. “We are seeking balance – to protect residents, improve services and to preserve the Capital Governorate’s reputation as a tourism hub.”
Meanwhile, legislators have called for tighter government oversight of cleaning companies contracted with Bahrain’s municipalities, following claims that they were charging ‘unjustified and exorbitant fees’ from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for waste collection services.
An urgent proposal, tabled by five MPs led by Dr Mahdi Al Shuwaikh, was also unanimously approved by MPs and referred to the Cabinet for review and clarification over disputed service charges.
It urges the government to monitor and regulate private companies that are allegedly imposing monthly charges exceeding BD110 per waste container, with an additional BD20 for every extra container.
Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak has denied the claim, according to Mr Al Musallam in parliament.
“It was discussed that municipal services are charged on a full building, not individual businesses,” said Mr Al Musallam. “But, with nothing official on the matter, let’s have the situation clarified through this proposal.”
A proposal calling for the continued disbursement of cost-of-living and meat subsidies to Bahrain’s oyster divers, submitted as an urgent motion by five MPs led by Hamad Al Doy, has been unanimously approved by MPs.
Mr Al Doy said the initiative aims to preserve Bahrain’s maritime and cultural heritage, while ensuring social and economic stability for citizens who continue to practise traditional oyster diving.
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