BWI Calls for an End to the Sackings of Union Members in Bahrain

Despite repeated calls by the international trade union community to stop the unilateral firings of members of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU), an affiliate to the Building and Wood Workers International (BWI), union leaders continue to be terminated from their jobs. The BWI calls for end to these unjust lay-offs which is being pushed and endorsed by the Bahraini government in response to the GFBTU’s General Strike from March 13 to 22, 2011. The General Strike was in response to ensure the protection of workers who were deliberately targeted and brutally attacked throughout Bahrain during that period.

To date more than 1,300 workers, nearly 1% of the Bahraini workforce has been fired. These actions are in violation with the Bahraini Labour code and the ILO Convention 111 Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention which was ratified by the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2000.

“The continuous firings are further damaging the industrial relations in Bahrain,” stated Ambet Yuson, General Secretary of BWI. He continued, “We call on King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa to immediately initiate a dialogue including all stakeholders including the GFBTU to end the current crisis in Bahrain. Clearly, the first step would be the reinstatement of all workers who have been fired for their involvement in the strike and trade union activities.”

The BWI again stresses the important work of the GFBTU in both Bahrain and internationally for strongly advocating for the rights of all workers including migrant workers. In relation to the series of attacks against migrant workers, the GFBTU has denounced these attacks and has called on the government to begin an immediate independent and transparent investigation in an effort to de-politicize the attacks.

The BWI will continue to provide all necessary support and solidarity to the GFBTU and pledge to work with the international trade union movement in coordinating international actions to ensure trade union rights in Bahrain.