Union law ‘out of global step’
By Tariq Khonji
Published: 21 December 2006
SOME of Bahrain’s union laws are out of line with international standards and will need to change, a senior International Labour Organisation (ILO) official said yesterday.
ILO international labour standards department deputy director Karen Curtis said that the current rules governing where strikes can be held in Bahrain were too restrictive.
The ban covers organisations related to security, civil defence, airports, seaports, hospitals, health centres and pharmacies.
It also applies to all means of transport involving people or merchandise, telecommunications, electricity, water, bakeries, educational establishments and oil and gas facilities.
Union law ‘out of global step’
By Tariq Khonji
Published: 21 December 2006
SOME of Bahrain’s union laws are out of line with international standards and will need to change, a senior International Labour Organisation (ILO) official said yesterday.
ILO international labour standards department deputy director Karen Curtis said that the current rules governing where strikes can be held in Bahrain were too restrictive.
The ban covers organisations related to security, civil defence, airports, seaports, hospitals, health centres and pharmacies.
It also applies to all means of transport involving people or merchandise, telecommunications, electricity, water, bakeries, educational establishments and oil and gas facilities.
Ms Curtis said that this was not in line with ILO standards, which do not cover places like bakeries and transportation.
“Governments do have the right to restrict strikes at places that directly harm the public’s security, but the definition is very strict,” she said.
“These would include hospitals, electricity and water facilities, air traffic controllers and fire departments, for example.
“But even at these places strikes can take place but there should be negotiation to come up with a certain minimum level of service that should not be disrupted. And it really should be a minimum.”
Ms Curtis said that strikes at the airport are acceptable under the ILO standards, but not to the degree that the whole organisation would come to a standstill.
She was speaking to the GDN on the sidelines of a three-day workshop on international standards of freedom for trade unions, which closes at the Gulf Hotel’s Gulf International Convention and Exhibition Centre today.
The event is being organised by the Labour Ministry and held under the patronage of Labour Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi.
Ms Curtis also said that demonstrations should be allowed within the working place as long as it is peaceful and causes a minimal amount of disruption.
She said that this would include airports, for example.
“With regards to blocking traffic, the ILO standards do allow the government to manage the level of disruption,” said Ms Curtis.
“They may, for example, ask the demonstrators to leave two lanes of traffic for cars to pass.”
She said that the Bahrain government has been informed by the ILO that it does not agree with the current law and it has been asked to amend it. “They got back to us with an amended law, which they say will go before the new parliament,” she added.
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