His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, who deputized Labour Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan to attend the annual ceremony marking the International Workers’ Day held on Saturday, said that in line with the leadership’s vision the remaining sacked employees would be reinstated soon.
The General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions organized the event at the Crowne Plaza.
Humaidan paid tribute to HM King Hamad for his keenness on patronizing the annual event and pride in Bahraini workers in recognition of their dedication in serving the nation and pushing economic and social development forward for youngsters to enjoy a bright future.
He congratulated the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions and all Bahraini workers, specially honoured employees, lauding HM the King’s resolve as well as the directives of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, to promote workers’ gains and consolidate their legal protection.
The minister hailed the ceremony as reflecting the determination of the Government, workers and employers to regain confidence, cohesion and consensus and overcome the detrimental aftermath of the deplorable events which Bahrain suffered in the past period.
Humaidan underscored the necessity to bolster cooperation between social partners bound together by indivisible interests, hopes and aspirations.
He announced that the remaining disputed cases of sacked workers would be addressed soon, crediting the wise leadership for its support.
He urged the bridges of trust and cooperation to be rebuilt anew at the sites of work to ensure the reintegration of reinstated workers and promote their professional stability.
He stressed the need for trade unions to regain their desired positive and patriotic role, pointing out the importance of preserving the dynamism of the labour market and its capacity to generate work opportunities for jobseekers.
Addressing the annual ceremony, he suggested honouring – as from next year – the best top five initiatives aimed at setting models to emulate for cooperation and confidence-building between corporate management and trade unions to promote employees’ rights, optimize productivity and foster the values of tolerance, whether at work or in society in general.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s readiness to coordinate with the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry to draw up necessary mechanisms and ensure the success of the initiative – thus strengthening tripartite cooperation in the labour market.
“Bahraini society has confronted challenges and emerged stronger, more cohesive and motivated than ever to promote Bahrain’s development and renaissance”, he said, hailed the wisdom of the political leadership.
BCCI Chairman Dr. Essam Abdulla Fakhro addressed the annual ceremony, stressing its crucial national and social significance in promoting the concept of work as a lofty human value.
He paid tribute to HM the King for the royal directives to address the cases sacked employees, extending thanks to HRH the Premier and HRH the Crown Prince for following-up the issue to ensure its final settlement.
Dr. Fakhro highlighted the role of the ministry and the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions in undertaking necessary steps to address the issued, commending companies for their efforts to reinstate their sacked employees.
He called upon firms –anew- to re-instated the remaining sacked workers soon as part of efforts to promote amity between citizens and rebuild the social and labour environment.
Dr. Fakhro reaffirmed the chamber’s keenness on protecting workers’ rights and cementing the relation of confidence with the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions to achieve desired tripartite goals and promote national development.
GFBTU Secretary-General Salman Jaafar Al-Mahfoudh hailed this year’s ceremony, being celebrated under the slogan “Towards Consolidating Labour Unity under the National Banner”.
He paid tribute to HM King Hamad for his royal patronage to honour workers for their pivotal role in promoting Bahrain’s development and progress.
“We celebrate this year’s ceremony after emerging from the difficult period in the aftermath of the events which hit Bahrain in February and March last year”, he said, stressed the role of the GFBTU in defending the sacked employees.
He cited HM King Hamad saying that he doesn’t accept that any Bahraini be deprived of his source of living and that he would be delighted to see all sacked employees reinstated to their jobs to look after their families and serve their society and country.
Alya’a Sayyed Mahfoudh addressed the ceremony on behalf of honoured workers, reaffirming full commitment and dedication to ensure the success of Bahrain’s development march.
Humaidan, Dr. Fakhro and Al-Mahfoudh then honoured 222 outstanding workers representing different private sectors and ministries in recognition of their exemplary dedication and efforts in assuming their duties.