International Labour Day March

On the 1st of May the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) organized a March in which many trade unions and political societies participated. Participants carried red banners with slogans demanding dignified living conditions, improving work conditions, more trade union freedoms and called for uncovering the circumstances behind the bankruptcy of the Pension and Social Insurance Department. Five MPs from alwafaq block were among the demonstrators and its President MP Khaleel Al Morzooq affirmed that the legislative authority was very concerned about labour issues and that the legislature has endorsed many important files such as the Civil Labour Act, the affirmation of the right to strike, and ensured the rights of working women In addition, the legislative authority has rejected trade union pluralism which leads to the fragmentation of trade union action.

At the end of the march the demonstrators called for the ratification of international labour standards, fair wages and supported the Conventions of 1987 and 1998. They demanded that a minimum wage policy be implemented and giving employees reimbursement for housing and expenses similar to highly skilled foreign workers. The participants rejected any form of discrimination in employment on the basis of gender, race, origin, colour, sect, religion and political affiliation.