Bapco workers threaten further protests

UNION ACTION: Bapco workers will stage large scale demonstrations this Sunday, demanding better pay and working conditions. (AP)

More than 2,000 Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) workers will be joined by fellow unionists from the government and private sector when they stage a demonstration on Sunday to demand better pay and conditions.

The protest will take place at Bapco's Sitra refinery and is aimed at sending out a "clear signal" to management that employees are serious about their demands, reported Bahrain's Gulf Daily News on Thursday.

Bapco Employees Union spokesman Hameed Al Rashid said if employees demands were not taken seriously "appropriate action" would be taken.

"A complete halt of work is certainly not ruled out. A strike is certainly one of the options," said Al Rashid, quoted the newspaper.

Employees of the state-owned energy firm are calling for a 15% wage increase and other benefits such as better health insurance and increased housing, shift and risk allowances.

The union delivered its demands to the management at the beginning of last month, but have so far had no reply, Al Rashid said.

“Time is running out,” said Al Rashid, quoted the newspaper. “If the management is serious, it should respond favourably by Sunday.”

A one-month salary bonus was rejected by the union earlier this month with workers claiming they were entitled to at least double that amount.

Sunday's protest will be just the latest in a string of demonstrations by Bapco employees over pay and conditions. The last protest was held on December 7 at the company's headquarters in Awali.

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