A new Defence Order aimed at offering financial support, was announced by Prime Minister Omar Razzaz on Sunday.

Defence Order No.15 stipulates the expansion of social security programmes to include workers in the public sector by enabling them to obtain financial advances that will be repaid upon retirement without interest.

It also includes exemptions for private sector companies who have outstanding social security payments.

The decision came as a result of conversations over recent weeks between the government and its private sector partners.