Alba to take disciplinary action against strikers

03 April 2011

Bahrain smelter to take action against workers who went on strike in mid-March

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) is to take disciplinary action against the 15 per cent of its workforce who were absent during the general strike that occurred in Bahrain during March.

The company says the general strike called by General Federation of Bahrain Trade Union (GFBTU) infringed Bahrain’s labour laws and, as such, infringed Alba working practices.

“While we managed to maintain production, it was due to the 85 per cent of employees who did not strike and who worked extra hours,” says a spokesman for Alba. “The employees who did not turn up for work will have to suffer the consequences and disciplinary proceedings will be conducted shortly.”

 The spokesman declined to state the exact nature of the disciplinary proceedings.

The GFBTU called the strike in March in response to the government using violence against anti-government protesters that had gathered in the capital on Manama. However, the GFBTU did call on its members to show common sense and show restraint if it was going to damage the long-term stability of Bahrain.  

Most of Bahrain’s industrial sector, including Alba and the companies operating in the adjacent metals park, was not affected by the general strike (MEED 21:3:11).  

 

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