ITF stands up to union rights violations in Bahrain
October 7, 2013
The ITF last week slammed ongoing trade union rights violations in Bahrain, highlighting the experience of the Bahrain Airport Service (BAS) union, a member of ITF-affiliated General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU).
Back in 2011, thousands of BAS workers were dismissed from work, including union president Yousef Al Khaja. Although a delegation from the International Labour Organization (ILO) received assurances in 2012 that Al Khaja and the other dismissed workers would be reinstated, this has yet to happen. Delegates to the ITF Arab world regional conference in September decided that solidarity with the dismissed workers of Bahrain is a key resolution for the region.
In a letter to BAS, the ITF highlighted a number of complaints, including the length of time being taken to reinstate the union president, despite the necessary administrative procedures being complete. The ITF also refers to other apparently anti-union measures, including the closure of the union’s headquarters, the company’s failure to deduct union subscription fees, and the abolition of trade union representation on the Joint Committee for Saving, a joint government and corporate body set up to identify areas where money can be saved.
The letter from acting general secretary Steve Cotton notes that: The ITF believes these actions by BAS, taking place during the collective bargaining period, undermine social dialogue and are designed to put an end to trade union activity at BAS…the ITF will be monitoring the situation closely.
Salman Mahfouz, GFTBU general secretary, said: “It is time to reinstate Yousef Al Khaja as president of BAS union. Both the Ministry of Labour and the Bassiouni report said that his dismissal was arbitrary, and related to his union activities. This case has affected thousands of workers - some are still waiting to return to work. Yousef’s dismissed colleagues have all now returned to work – therefore we demand he is reinstated as soon as possible. This case represents a clear violation of international labour standards and freedom of association.”