Bahrain's first federation of labour unions formed

Bahrain's first general federation of labour unions was formed yesterday after 70 years of struggle, said labour leaders at the founding conference of the General Federation of Bahrain Workers Unions (GFBWU).

The establishment of the federation is "a dream come true" for workers in Bahrain, said Abdul Ghaffar Abdul Hussein, interim leader of the workers' body.

"Bahrainis have worked for this day since the 1930s. It has been a long, and sometimes bloody march which led to the imprisonment and exile of many labour leaders," he told delegates to the conference.

The historic three-day conference ends tomorrow with the election of the union's general secretary and members of the board. It is being attended by 150 delegates representing 40 labour unions from the public and private sectors.

The opening session was attended by Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of Labour and Social Affairs.

The establishment of the federation was made possible by the backing of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, "who has always been a strong supporter of the national labour movement", said Abdul Hussein.

Bahrain's federation is the second such body in the Gulf region. Kuwaiti workers established their union in the 1950s.

The King issued the new labour and trade unions law in September 2002 under which workers have the right to form unions without having to ask for government permission. The law is part of the King's political and social reforms initiated soon after he assumed power in March 1999.

In October 2002, Bahrain held its first national elections since 1974. "With the establishment of the federation, the workers have become full partners in the economic and social development process in the kingdom," said Abdul Hussein.

The labour unions law, issued by the King in a Royal Decree, is based on the National Action Charter, which stipulates that the state "guarantees freedom for the formation of civic, educational, cultural and professional societies and syndicates, to achieve legitimate objectives through peaceful means".

The law includes the workers' right to strike and collective agreements. A strike, however, must be approved in a secret ballot by three quarters of the union members, and the company must be warned two weeks in advance.

"Strikes must be used only to achieve the workers' social and economic demands; and no strike is allowed in the vital sectors — security, civil defence, airports, ports, hospitals, communications, telecommunications, electricity and water," says the law.

The conference is also expected to vote on the federation's proposed constitution, drafted by a preparatory committee, led by Abdul Hussein.

It says that the GFBWU is a "national, free, independent and democratic organisation" that aims to "unite all the workers, including the retirees, and protect their interests". It also aims to develop "a unions' culture" among its members and work to further integrate women in the economic process and the labour movement.