BWI: The list of dismissed workers due to trade union activities is increasing daily in Bahrain. According to BWI’s affiliate the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions, currently there are more than 2,200 workers who have been dismissed out of a local Bahraini work force of 140,000. Unfortunately under the current Unemployment scheme these workers do not qualify for unemployment insurance as these dismissals are considered to be disciplinary action.
The union has stated, “An average Bahraini family consists of six persons and on this basis, this means that at least 12,000 Bahraini are without an income.”
The leadership of the GFBTU has been hit hard by the dismissals as well with eight members of the GFBTU governing body and 40 trade union executives having lost their jobs.
Recently a committee was established under a Ministerial Decree of HRH and the Prime Minister. The committee chaired by the Minister of Labour recommended that 527 workers be reinstated as their firings did not conform to the law. To date, these workers have yet to be allowed to return to work. The committee is reviewing further cases.
The GFBTU continues to call for, “the reinstatement for all terminated workers and an anti-reinstatement. We also hope for a positive atmosphere for the national consensus dialogue declared by the Majesty. However, the Consensus Dialogue Authority has refused to allow dismissed GFBTU members participating in dialogue discussions.”
“We are very concerned about the situation in Bahrain as it appears there are no improvements to the current situation, stated Ambet Yuson, General Secretary of BWI. He continued, “BWI will continue its campaign to provide support and solidarity to the GFBTU and all workers in Bahrain in this difficult time.”
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق