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Recognition win for dockers in Bahrain
6 November 2009
Dockers in Bahrain have won union recognition, paving the way for negotiations towards a collective bargaining agreement.
The dockers, represented by the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions, and APM Terminals, part of the AP Moller-Maersk Group, reached the agreement on 4 November following intense negotiations. These were prompted by ITF and union lobbying of the company’s international management; the managers in the Khalifa Bin Salman port in Bahrain had previously refused to enter into talks with the union.
Apart from union recognition, the parties also agreed to discuss: carrying out a two month analysis of the cost per workers of using their own car to drive to and from work and deducting union fees from members’ salaries. It was also agreed that the clinic, which deals with emergency injuries, could remain open during night shifts; the company had withdrawn the clinic’s 24-hour service, which meant that workers on the night shift could not access the facility.
Salman Alsaad, union chairman, commented: “After spending a long time in discussions, we agreed to discuss all matters on the table, although we haven’t reached a final settlement. I think this is a very good start; now we can move forward on negotiating to reach a collective bargaining agreement.”
Bilal Malkawi, ITF Arab World office, added: “Union recognition has been an ongoing issue for the past two years. We worked very closely with the union through education and capacity building, in addition to offering ITF solidarity support. This is just a small step forward. We will continue to support the union until a collective bargaining agreement is signed and the workers have full trade union bargaining rights."
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