Gulf Air ‘urgently in need of reform’
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Staff Reporter
Gulf Air must urgently undergo reforms to ensure its operations remain stable, observed the Parliamentary Probe Committee on Gulf Air.
This came as the committee held its 13th meeting yesterday, which was headed by Abdul Nabi Salman, First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The committee reviewed the information received from authorities concerned regarding the functioning of the airline before recommending the reforms.
The committee also reviewed the responses from the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunication, Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, Tender and Auctions Board, Labour Fund Tamkeen and Gulf Air Workers Union.
Abdul Nabi Salman said that the committee discussed at length the set of recommendations before submitting them to the House of Representatives next month.
“The committee is following up on questions raised to the concerned minister and management board of the company regarding many administrative and financial aspects,” he said.
“As members of the committee, we are committed to coming up with recommendations that will ensure the continued success of Gulf Air, which is of great importance to the national economy.”
He said Gulf Air is in urgent need of financial and administrative reforms along with an accountability system that will address the issues faced by the company.
Union’s responses
In an earlier meeting, the committee reviewed the responses of the Gulf Air Workers Union, which were directed to the management board.
“We need radical solutions to ensure the welfare and stability of the company as well as that of its employees,” the committee had observed.
“We expect the management board to show constructive cooperation with the committee to fix the issues.”
The areas of the probe carried out by the committee include the airline’s administrative systems and guidelines, financial accounting reports, training policies, career development, replacing Bahrainis with expatriates along the verification of work contracts.
Gulf Air recently said that it is committed to investing in the Bahraini workforce.
“The company is a leader in the Bahrainisation programme in the Kingdom as it provides the opportunity for local experienced talents to work in its various areas of the airline’s business and is committed to investing in its Bahraini workforce and their career development.
“The airline continues to provide opportunities for Bahraini nationals to take over higher management positions in the company.”
Gulf Air commenced operations in 1950, becoming one of the first commercial airlines established in the Middle East.
The airline operates scheduled flights from its hub at Bahrain International Airport to cities in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian sub-continent and the Far East.
Gulf Air connects Bahrain to the world and, as such, is a key national infrastructure asset, serving as a powerful driver for the economy and supporting the Kingdom’s ongoing economic growth.
Related Posts