Bahrain social workers unite for the trade union launch

The new labour federation will be committed to make a difference to the labour segment through loyalty and will work without a political agenda, said a trade union leader.

“We will strive our best to make a mark in Bahrain’s trade union history and will spare no efforts to prove that the new federation – Free Workers’ Trade Union – will stand by the employee, his integrity and his rights,” said Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) Trade Union Chairman Ali Binali.

The official launch of Free Workers Trade Union, the second general federation for labourers in Bahrain will take place in Gulf Hotel today.

The new union is based on the amendment of trade union law – Decree No 35 (2011) which allows pluralism of trade unions.

The conference session in the morning will witness speeches from visiting international trade union delegations from Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Egypt.

“We have invited the Labour Minister and officials from the ministry and we hope they extend their full support to this venture as it is a matter of pride that Bahrain is gaining a place in the world of trade union pluralism. This shows that the country is moving in the right direction with freedom for trade unions,” said Mr Binali.

More than 2,000 workers from six trade unions in the Kingdom – GPIC, Alba, Bapco, Bahrain Airport Service (BAS), Bankers’ Union and Gramco – will participate in the election of the 15 member executive board of the new union tomorrow, post the adoption of its constitution.

These six unions had parted ways with the existing General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU), alleging that it no more focused on labour issues.

Labour Ministry had earlier welcomed the move, though GFBTU leaders had urged workers to remain united under one umbrella stating that Bahrain’s workforce was less in number to have more than one federation.