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UNIONS could be introduced at small and medium-sized companies as part of efforts to improve working conditions, it has been revealed. The idea is to raise standards to make jobs more attractive to Bahrainis. Foreign workers in small companies, which have up to 10 employees, outnumber Bahrainis by seven to one, according to Labour and Social Affairs Ministry employment bureau head Mohammed Deeto. In addition, expats now account for 60 per cent of the workforce across both small and medium enterprises.
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"The number of foreign workers in small and medium establishments has reached around 86,000, which is around 60pc of the overall number of foreign workers registered with Gosi," he said. "One of our most prominent problems in the local market is the low number of Bahrainis working in these establishments." Mr Deeto said it is necessary to introduce labour unions in small and medium companies to fight for improved working conditions and wage increases. "Once the circumstances of workers in these establishments are improved more Bahrainis will seek jobs there, which will lower the number of foreign workers," he said. Mr Deeto's comments were made in a presentation which addressed the relationship between the labour market and government, employers and workers. The presentation was given at a monthly meeting about the labour market and labour unions, which took place at the ministry, in Isa Town. He urged all parties to work together for the development of the country's labour market. "What we really need is for all parties to stick to their commitments to ensure the success of dialogues and their continuity in order to reach suitable solutions to develop the labour market," he said.
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Meanwhile, Labour and Social Affairs Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi said the country is moving ahead with labour reforms. "The ministry will make available all the appropriate opportunities for upgrading unions in Bahrain and help them play their part in this operation," he said. Present at the meeting were ministry officials including Under-Secretary Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Assistant Under-Secretary for Training Abdulellah Al Qassimi, managers, department heads and some invited guests. |