Bahrain's unions strike against repression

Solidarity with Bahrain's workers

TUC protest letter

15 March 2011

The trade union movement in Bahrain has started a general strike in protest against the repression of popular protest and what they call an occupation of Bahrain by forces from neighbouring states. The TUC has protested to Bahrain's Ambassador, as part of a global union solidarity campaign, about the subsequent announcement of martial law; and the TUC is collecting money to help trade unionists across the Middle East and North Africa.

The General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) is independent of the state, and like the TUC is affiliated to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The GFBTU is also non-sectarian: it has two Assistant General Secretaries, one Sunni, one Shia, to ensure that the unions do not get caught up in the religious conflict between Bahrain's Sunni minority (including the country's rulers) and the poor Shia majority.

The general strike, which is particularly affecting the main oil company in Bahrain, was called in response to the excessive use of force by anti-riot police in the centre of the capital Manama and the violent attacks on university students on Sunday 13 March. The subsequent announcement of martial law has been condemned.

'The decision to impose martial law is totally unacceptable, and an affront to human rights. We are more deeply concerned than ever for the welfare and rights of everyone in Bahrain, and we call upon the authorities to rescind this decision immediately. Such heavy-handed repression will only put the prospects of a negotiated outcome to the crisis there even further out of reach, and will do enormous harm to Bahrain's economy and society,' said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

'The authorities' violent repression of the demonstrators is in violation of the fundamental rights and international conventions signed by Bahrain. We hold the government responsible for the dangerous impasse it has plunged the country into and we call on the Crown Prince to be more open to the demonstrators demands, and urgently begin real dialogue with the opposition' said GFBTU General Secretary Salman Mahfoodh.

'Our strike is an act of peaceful civil disobedience that will continue for as long as the workers feel they are not safe and are not being listened to. Anonymous armed groups, suspected of being in the pay of the security forces, have attacked Bahraini workers and migrant workers on their way to work, or simply as they sat in their shops. As an organisation for the defence of workers, we are also responsible for workers' safety and we demand that the government put an end to the presence of these violent groups and allow calm to be restored, while respecting the legitimate right of the demonstrators to make their demands heard,' he added.

Trade union sources report that 'the security forces have used both rubber bullets and live ammunition against the demonstrators. Men armed with knives, batons and revolvers, claiming to be government supporters, have stopped cars at crossroads and several trade union members have been beaten. The premises of political parties have been burnt down and we fear there will be an attack on our own premises.' Dozens of the injured, some of them very seriously, have had to be hospitalised, the university's academic year has been suspended and concern is growing as foreign troops from Member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council, including one thousand Saudi Arabian soldiers, entered Bahrain yesterday.

ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow has said that 'the violent escalation of the repression of demonstrators legitimately calling for dialogue and reform is totally unacceptable. The ITUC supports the general strike as an act of peaceful civil disobedience by its Bahraini affiliate. It is extremely urgent that the authorities give a genuine response to the wishes expressed by the opposition forces courageously demonstrating for more democracy and equality in Bahrain for over a month now.'

The GFBTU had initially called a general strike on 20 February following the extremely brutal attack by the army and police against the demonstrators peacefully gathered at the Pearl Roundabout on 17 February. Further to the army's retreat, the GFBTU lifted the strike call, but the escalation of violence in the last few days by the security forces and armed groups in the pay of the authorities has forced it to review its position.

The TUC's protest letter to the Ambassador from Bahrain follows

HE Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ali Al Khalifa
Ambassador
Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain
30 Belgrave Square
London SW1X 8QB

Dear Ambassador

Martial law

The Trades Union Congress is the voice of Britain at work, with over 6 million members organised in 55 trade unions. Responding to a request for solidarity from our colleagues in the General Federation of Bahraini Trade Unions (GFBTU), we request your urgent intervention to press the authorities in Bahrain to end immediately the state of martial law, which was imposed on Tuesday 15 March, and to send the foreign troops which are currently in Bahrain back to their home countries.

The GFBTU has confirmed reports of brutal aggression against a number of workers, including security forces in civilian clothes shooting at workers on their way to and from work. The GFBTU has condemned the interference of forces from other Gulf countries in Bahrain, and called their presence in the country an 'occupation of Bahrain'.

The TUC is asking you as a matter of high priority and urgency to intervene on this vitally important issue, in solidarity with the working people of Bahrain and in defence of their fundamental rights.

Yours sincerely

BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary

More information

Watch the GFBTU General Secretary's video message (in Arabic and English) from 8 March.

See the ITUC's press releases supporting the general strike and opposing martial law.