Trade Unions Call for Crisis Committee as Gulf War Hits Jobs

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s main trade union federation has called for a joint crisis committee bringing together government, employers and unions, while urging the return of key transport links and strict observance of safety measures as the war around the Arabian Gulf hits jobs, livelihoods and basic services.

In a statement issued on Monday, the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions said the events that began on 28 February had spread beyond military targets and were now striking health, education and infrastructure, including bridges and power stations. It said the strain was being felt across the Gulf and beyond, with supply chains hit, prices rising and the lives of citizens and residents thrown off course.

The federation said Bahrain had already seen harm in oil, gas, metals, transport and tourism, with material damage, injuries and deaths.

Meetings

Since the crisis flared, the federation said it had held a series of meetings in Bahrain and with Arab and international labour groups to discuss the danger and press for an end to it. It said all sides hoped to see it stop ‘today, not tomorrow’ in order to save lives and protect gains built over decades by millions of workers, alongside the vast sums spent on roads, services and key sites across the region.

Amid that strain, the federation praised the efforts led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to press for calm, support de-escalation and keep lines of contact open with Gulf, Arab and international leaders.