BAHRAINIS who have worked for at least 25 years will be eligible for a maximum five-year bonus, it was announced yesterday.

Employees having reached the normal age of retirement or seeking early retirement can benefit from the scheme.

The plan was announced as His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting at Gudaibiya Palace.

The procedure will also apply to employees who may be sacked for non-disciplinary reasons or laid off.

Employees who resign for health reasons or to look after people with special needs are also eligible.

The benefit programme will also include Bahrainis who resign voluntarily on reaching the age of 50 years.

The session instructed the Civil Service Bureau to undertake necessary measures.

The session was updated on the ongoing implementation of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) recommendations.

Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, who is also in charge of following up the recommendations gave an update in this regard.

Ministries and government departments were instructed to co-operate fully with the follow-up authority.

The session hailed the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, to the United States.

HRH the Premier lauded the positive results which would strengthen relations and expand bilateral co-operation.

The session also welcomed the visit of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to Bahrain, stressing both countries' resolve to promote co-operation.

The session agreed to reform the National Anti-tobacco Committee. Chaired by the health minister, the panel includes officials representing parties concerned.

Several proposals aimed at averting the repercussions of fluctuating oil prices in the world markets also came under the spotlight.

It gave the green light to restructure the Consumer Protection Directorate, an affiliate of the Industry and Commerce Ministry.