The Bahraini government has rejected a legislative proposal to place sports and labour unions under the supervision of the Financial and Administrative Audit Bureau, citing that their funds are private, not public. In a memorandum to the Council of Representatives, the government stated that the Bahrain Olympic Committee operates independently under the Olympic Charter, with financial autonomy. The federations operate according to regulations issued by international federations for each sport, and receive financial support from the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports.
Labour unions, on the other hand, are independent entities with the purpose of protecting the interests and rights of workers. They are granted legal personality upon registration with the Ministry of Labour, and are required to include provisions in their statutes regarding the preservation of their funds, financial systems, and financial records. The government clarified that the law does not classify the funds of labour unions as public money, limiting their financial resources to contributions, grants, donations, and other lawful sources.
While the government maintains that the funds of these organizations are private, it acknowledged the potential for oversight. The Minister of Youth and Sports has the authority to request the Financial and Administrative Audit Bureau to audit the financial records of sports federations, ensuring the integrity of their resources and the legitimacy of their spending. This oversight is discretionary and not mandatory, providing a level of accountability without compromising the autonomy of these organizations.
