Opposition call to strike rapped

A LABOUR union has slammed calls by anti-government groups for a strike tomorrow, accusing the opposition of politicising the workplace without voicing any clear demands.

It follows calls for a strike by groups associated with the February 14 movement, which has been behind a spate of violence that included attacks on police and blocking roads.

The groups have also used the Internet to urge supporters to withdraw money from their bank accounts tomorrow, avoid going shopping and boycott government transactions.

However, calls for the strike have been branded irresponsible by the Bahrain Labour Union Free Federation (BLUFF).

"The labour movement should not be politicised by any group for their own interest and calls for illegal strikes are unacceptable as it affects the workers and economy," said its international and Arab relations head Ali Al Binali.

The proposed strike falls exactly a month after the two-year anniversary of anti-government protests on February 14, when similar calls for a strike failed.

On that occasion thugs went on a rampage in several parts of the country, blocking entries and exits to villages using concrete blocks, garbage bins, asbestos sheets and even burned cars in an attempt to stop people from going to work.

In one incident, anti-government protesters smashed the rear windshield of a car driven by an Indian in Sitra.

Mr Al Binali stated that such action actually damaged small Bahraini business owners.

"Small and medium enterprises will be the worst affected because of this and we cannot afford it at this stage, when things are getting back to normal," he said.

"We already are facing the problem of bankruptcy among companies, businesses closing down and unemployment increasing because of this.

"Forcing people to stay at home by blocking roads is not democracy, but a violation of their rights."

He also said such attempts to disrupt the country were orchestrated to undermine developments such as the National Dialogue, which is currently underway and brings together political leaders for talks designed to help the country move forward.

"There should be permission obtained from unions to go on strike or from the Interior Ministry to organise a protest," he added.

"Politicising the union movement with these illegal strikes is not the right way and should be stopped."

The General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU), which was behind strikes that coincided with anti-government protests in 2011, stated that people had a right to strike if they wanted to.

However, a spokesman added that people should not be prevented from going to work if they chose to.

"We are against anyone forcefully stopping any worker from carrying out their duties," he said.

"Taking part in a strike is a free choice, but stopping anyone from reaching their workplace is not right." sandy@gdn.com.bh