The employees had been dismissed as they were deemed to be in breach of contract during the protests in Bahrain in 2011. Following the protests, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa commissioned an independent inquiry to investigate the protests, the findings of which were published in November 2011. The independent report made a number of recommendations, which the Government pledged to implement by February 2012, which included recommendations with regard to the treatment of dismissed workers.
The management team of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), which is the home of motorsport in the Middle East and host of the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix, has already contacted and consulted with the relevant staff with regards to their reinstatement and it hopes to see all employees returning to work as soon as possible.
The reinstatement of the BIC employees coincides with similar actions being undertaken by a number of other public and private organisations.
“The reinstatement of our BIC colleagues is part of an important initiative towards national reconciliation and unity for the kingdom as a whole. I therefore welcome back our colleagues into the BIC family as we now look to focus on the future and the important job at hand,” Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Chief Executive of the BIC, said.
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“The Bahrain International Circuit, and in particular the Formula 1 Grand Prix, is of huge significance to our country, acting as a strong unifier, given the support it receives from all sections of Bahrain society. I now look forward to working with all BIC colleagues to ensure that we continue to provide world class track events, which every citizen of Bahrain can be proud to support.”