The proposal was put forward by two Shura Council members as an amendment to an existing law, which set up a national alimony fund that started operations in January.

Voting reached a stalemate in March and the proposal was referred back to the services committee, which first rejected and then approved it. 

The aim behind the proposal is to ensure that nobody is able to wriggle out of alimony payments.

 The services committee has also carried out several amendments to the law, which would commit the government to giving permanent financial support to the fund- rather than just the first two years of operation.

 Councillor Rabbab Al Arrayedh, who is behind the proposal, said the fund had been established to collect money from those ordered by court to pay their ex-wives or children.

 "Many miss the deadline and naming them would ensure that they paid up," she said.

 "It is true that the government would pay for the fund in the first two years, so that those on the fund list don't get any delay in their payments, but what would happen if those obliged don't pay for a very long time?

 "The government should be obliged to pump money into the fund all the time to ensure that families don't get harmed."

 Minister of State for Shura Council and Parliament Affairs Abdulaziz Al Fadhel said the government was already pumping money into the fund, even before those ordered to do so by the courts had started contributing.

 He said the government would meet any shortfall in funds to ensure those owed money do not miss out.

 "The fund is important and has a humane significance, so the government is obliged to do whatever possible to ensure that beneficiaries are not harmed whenever someone misses the deadline or is unable to pay," said Mr Al Fadhel.