A big number of former members and founding fathers of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) slammed GFBTU’s conduct during the regretful incidents that gripped the kingdom recently and condemned the two statements it had issued during the crisis by calling for strike and civil disobedience, calling upon it to assume full responsibility of its actions and apologise for the wise leadership and workers, especially those harmed by obeying its orders.
In a statement issued on Sunday, former trade unionists said that GFBTU has violated the Kingdom’s laws and regulations, especially the Royal Decree 49 on strikes and workers’ rights.
They also said that the open strike harmed national top interests, brought the kingdom’s economy into a standstill and undermined the national social fabric, adding that the GFBTU has hijacked the legitimate rights of laborers and let them be exploited by political sides.
They urged the GFBTU to express their sincere apologies to the wise leadership, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the business owners and workers for tampering with labour laws.
They also asked the Secretariat General of GFBTU to submit an official apology to the wise leadership and all workers in Bahrain, especially those dismissed.
They also called for forming an interim committee to prepare for the election of new GFBTU members within three months.
“The government is working to ensure the Kingdom’s security and economic prosperity,” His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa asserted as he received at Gudaibiya Palace senior officials in the presence of President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalid Al Khalifa as well as Shura Council and parliament Chairmen Ali Saleh Al Saleh and Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Dhaharani.
“Nothing can transcend Bahrain’s stability and protection of its achievements,” he added urging to exert every effort to thwart attempts to undermine the Kingdom’s good reputation.
“Attempts to drive wedges in terms of religion, doctrine, intellect and faith will fail,” HRH the Prime Minister stressed pointing out the need to further boost pan-Arab cooperation in order to confront challenges.
Al Dhahrani conveyed to HRH the Premier the greetings of Turkish President Abdullah Gul and briefed him about the outcome of his visit to Turkey and the Turkish support to Bahrain.
HRH Prince Khalifa hailed the Turkish outstanding role in serving Arab and Islamic issues.