BAPCO workers protest over pay & conditions

By Elsa Baxter

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Hundreds of Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) staff staged a protest outside the company’s refinery on Saturday over pay and working conditions.

The number was much less than the thousands anticipated by trade union officials, but some progress has been made nonetheless, union officials told Gulf Daily News.

The demonstration was lead by the Trade Union of Bapco Employees, which has 52 separate demands from members including automatic retirement for workers aged over 60.

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"We fear for our livelihoods, we fear we will be sacked and an expatriate will take our place," Sayed Maki Saeed, a petrol division operations officer told the paper from the picket line.

Sayed Salman Al Mahfoodh, secretary-general of the General Federation for Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) said the company had already agreed to pay workers this year’s annual bonus – equivalent to one month’s salary – but that further strike action would take place if other matters were not resolved.

"Striking is on the cards for the employees if the management or the National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) do not show any co-operation," he told the GDN.

Mohammed Moradi, Bapco human resources and administration acting general manager, told the paper: "Discussions are being held to resolve the matter and get things cleared.”