ID :
175353
Thu, 04/14/2011 - 08:46
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/175353
The shortlink copeid
Int'l unions condemn worker reprisals in Bahrain
London, April 14, IRNA – The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has written to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain to demand an immediate end to worker reprisals in response to their participation in strikes and protests for greater democracy in the country.
The ITUC, which has 301 affiliated member organisations in 151 countries and territories with a total membership of 176 million workers, condemned Bahrain's anti-union repression campaign, saying it has engaged in massive sackings, threats and violence against workers seeking democratic reforms.
According to details of the letter obtained from Britain's Trades Union Congress, it calls for the reinstatement of some 1,300 workers who have been sacked by various enterprises on the instructions of the government, and the withdrawal of all legal actions being undertaken against workers who have participated in union activities.
“The Bahraini authorities seem to be intent on destroying the country's trade union movement, as a central part of a campaign of revenge against those who took part in peaceful demonstrations and strike actions in protest at the killing and maiming of innocent people by Bahrain's security forces with the support of foreign troops,” said ITUC general secretary Sharan Burrow.
Burrow said that global union partners and national affiliates across the world would be intensifying their action to “convince the country's rulers to stop repression and start genuine dialogue with the national trade union centre GFBTU.”
“Bahrain's economy is already sliding badly, and if the government continues this repression, it will be responsible for even further damage to the country's economy and international reputation,” she warned.
The Brussels-based ITUC has previously warned that teachers, doctors, artists, human rights defenders, cyber-activists, members of political parties and others face arrest, and condemned the Bahraini regime for also trying to stop the publication of the country's only independent newspaper Al-Wasat./end
The ITUC, which has 301 affiliated member organisations in 151 countries and territories with a total membership of 176 million workers, condemned Bahrain's anti-union repression campaign, saying it has engaged in massive sackings, threats and violence against workers seeking democratic reforms.
According to details of the letter obtained from Britain's Trades Union Congress, it calls for the reinstatement of some 1,300 workers who have been sacked by various enterprises on the instructions of the government, and the withdrawal of all legal actions being undertaken against workers who have participated in union activities.
“The Bahraini authorities seem to be intent on destroying the country's trade union movement, as a central part of a campaign of revenge against those who took part in peaceful demonstrations and strike actions in protest at the killing and maiming of innocent people by Bahrain's security forces with the support of foreign troops,” said ITUC general secretary Sharan Burrow.
Burrow said that global union partners and national affiliates across the world would be intensifying their action to “convince the country's rulers to stop repression and start genuine dialogue with the national trade union centre GFBTU.”
“Bahrain's economy is already sliding badly, and if the government continues this repression, it will be responsible for even further damage to the country's economy and international reputation,” she warned.
The Brussels-based ITUC has previously warned that teachers, doctors, artists, human rights defenders, cyber-activists, members of political parties and others face arrest, and condemned the Bahraini regime for also trying to stop the publication of the country's only independent newspaper Al-Wasat./end
