28 February, 2011
The ICEM has joining with sister Global Union Federations, the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and the Building and Wood Workers International (BWI), in supporting the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) in its pivotal role in the peaceful uprising in Bahrain.
On Saturday, 19 February, the GFBTU called for a general strike in protest to the violent put-down of peaceful protests inside Manama's Pearl Square. The strike was called off when their demands were met, namely that tanks be withdrawn from the square and peaceful protests allowed to continue.
The GFBTU joined a social alliance on 24 February, pushing the autocracy of King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa to place constitutional limits on the king’s power. The alliance called for the immediate release of all political prisoners, for electoral reforms, and for an immediate investigation to find those guilty for the deaths of seven protestors when they were attacked by government forces. Some 308 political prisoners have been freed.
GFBTU General Secretary Salman Mahfoodh
But the king refuses to meet other preconditions of dialogue with the opposition alliance, to dismiss his ministers, or to amend the constitution.
GFBTU General Secretary Salman Mahfoodh warned last week, "We also want the government to know that if the police force or army comes again to suppress the protest that we will strike. And we would also strike if we find that a political solution is not forthcoming or if sides aren't negotiating genuinely."
Workers and trade unionists from numerous sectors announced their readiness to back a national strike. Many of those workers are now fighting against punishment over their involvement in the protests. Some have been threatened with job loss, while the majority face docked wages for the days out on strike or protest. The GFBTU is calling for absolutely no disciplinary action taken against workers using their right to protest. The federation contacted the Labour Ministry to inform them of this.
The GFBTU is associated with close to 70 unions, representing more than 20,000 workers.
Bahrain declares itself a constitutional monarchy, but the Parliament gives the royal family, which is Sunni, absolute authority in the Shiite majority nation.