Bapco staffer sacked
Dejected Omran determined to continue peaceful protest
Sandeep Singh Grewal
Staff Reporter
A former head of the Bapco union claims he has been made to pay a heavy price for highlighting the shortcomings in that company. Abbas Al Omran was sacked on Tuesday for what he claims was for his union activities.
He said: “The manager handed me a letter stating my services were no longer required by the company. I was asked to leave immediately,” he told the Bahrain Tribune yesterday.
Bapco staffer sacked
Dejected Omran determined to continue peaceful protest
Sandeep Singh Grewal
Staff Reporter
A former head of the Bapco union claims he has been made to pay a heavy price for highlighting the shortcomings in that company. Abbas Al Omran was sacked on Tuesday for what he claims was for his union activities.
He said: “The manager handed me a letter stating my services were no longer required by the company. I was asked to leave immediately,” he told the Bahrain Tribune yesterday.
The former unionist has now pitched a tent outside the Awali compound and has threatened to continue his peaceful protest till he is reinstated.
He said the Bapco management was upset with him when he first launched a petition against the discriminatory policies in employment and training.
“More than 1,500 staff were signatories to this petition. Following this, I was elected as treasurer to the company Trade Union,” Al Omran said.
He claims it was during his tenure he discovered financial and administrative irregularities in some departments.
“I had access to some documents as a treasurer where I discovered illegal money transactions,” he claimed.
He also alleged he was not allowed to contact the management.
Human rights activists and unionists gathered in the early hours yesterday morning demanding a reversal of the decision. Activist Nabeel Rajab said, “Targeting unionists because of their activities is not only uncivilised but also shows the company does not respect the rights of their employees.” The activist said authorities were not allowing Al Omran to display banners and only three family members or supporters were allowed to join him in the protest. Rajab called upon a third party to investigate the allegation claims by the unionist and called for his immediate reinstatement.
The Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) also condemned the company decision calling it “an abuse of workers’ rights in the country.”
BHRWS head Faisal Fulad said, “We will take up the case to the International Labour Organisation and International human rights group. Unionist should be respected and not sacked from their jobs.”
Bapco clarified yesterday over the sacking saying they were forced to dismiss Al Omran because of his insistence not to change his attitude and carry out his duties.
“All possible attempts were made and the dismissal decision was inevitable in view of his adamant attitude and refusal to cooperate with the company.
The company had no other option but to dismiss him according to provisions of article 113 of the non-government sector labour law, and article 18 of the penal measures of the company,” a Bapco statement said.
It further refuted allegations by the former unionists as – “false, untrue, and misleading.”
“Al Omran’s membership with Bapco Trade Union was suspended upon a decision from the General Assembly. His claims that the company was targeting unionists is totally untrue,” the company said.
sandeep.grewal@bahraintribune.net