Labour movement demands justice for workers in Bahrain

October 23, 2011

The international labour movement is demanding the urgent withdrawal of prosecutions and dismissals of those involved in the pro-democracy actions that have been sweeping across Bahrain.
Thirteen global union federations, including the ITF, along with the International Trade Union Confederation this week wrote to Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to call for urgent action to repeal the unjust imprisonment and victimisation of trade unionists, medics, teachers and journalists.
In the letter dated 17 October, the coalition of trade union organisations highlighted their deep concern about the human and trade union rights situation in Bahrain, where over 2,600 workers have been dismissed and hundreds more suspended from public sector jobs, while others have had legal proceedings pursued against them or been imprisoned.
They highlighted how the government was pursuing criminal charges against union leaders at Gulf Air; some 217 of the airline’s employees were also sacked. Although many are reported to have returned to work, the vast majority have not been reinstated in their original jobs and union leaders have been excluded. Meanwhile, at DHL, the government has started proceedings against several leaders and members of the DHL Trade Union, who have been given notice to attend a court hearing on 26 October. They stand accused of violating national security.
In addition, two leaders of a teachers’ association have been given heavy prison sentences by a military tribunal. At least 68 journalists have been sacked, arrested and charged with treason. Others have been forced into exile. The editor-in-chief of Al Wasat newspaper, is also on trial along with three other staff, charged with publishing false information about the police crackdown.
Six members of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) executive board have been dismissed, as well as 44 members of the executive board of GFBTU-affiliated unions.
In a further act of retaliation, the government recently unilaterally amended the trade union law, resulting in a major attack on unions.
In the letter they “urge the government to respect fundamental human and trade union rights. All workers wrongfully dismissed must be unconditionally reinstated, criminal charges dropped and legal reforms repealed. We also urge you to begin a serious process of reform and reconciliation which responds to the demands of Bahraini trade unions and civil society, including the full guarantee of free association and expression.”

The international labour movement is demanding the urgent withdrawal of prosecutions and dismissals of those involved in the pro-democracy actions that have been sweeping across Bahrain.
Thirteen global union federations, including the ITF, along with the International Trade Union Confederation this week wrote to Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to call for urgent action to repeal the unjust imprisonment and victimisation of trade unionists, medics, teachers and journalists.
In the letter dated 17 October, the coalition of trade union organisations highlighted their deep concern about the human and trade union rights situation in Bahrain, where over 2,600 workers have been dismissed and hundreds more suspended from public sector jobs, while others have had legal proceedings pursued against them or been imprisoned.
They highlighted how the government was pursuing criminal charges against union leaders at Gulf Air; some 217 of the airline’s employees were also sacked. Although many are reported to have returned to work, the vast majority have not been reinstated in their original jobs and union leaders have been excluded. Meanwhile, at DHL, the government has started proceedings against several leaders and members of the DHL Trade Union, who have been given notice to attend a court hearing on 26 October. They stand accused of violating national security.
In addition, two leaders of a teachers’ association have been given heavy prison sentences by a military tribunal. At least 68 journalists have been sacked, arrested and charged with treason. Others have been forced into exile. The editor-in-chief of Al Wasat newspaper, is also on trial along with three other staff, charged with publishing false information about the police crackdown.
Six members of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) executive board have been dismissed, as well as 44 members of the executive board of GFBTU-affiliated unions.
In a further act of retaliation, the government recently unilaterally amended the trade union law, resulting in a major attack on unions.
In the letter they “urge the government to respect fundamental human and trade union rights. All workers wrongfully dismissed must be unconditionally reinstated, criminal charges dropped and legal reforms repealed. We also urge you to begin a serious process of reform and reconciliation which responds to the demands of Bahraini trade unions and civil society, including the full guarantee of free association and expression.”

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