Union plans march over Bahrain bank job losses

Union leaders in Bahrain are organising a march on Friday in support of 59 Bahraini and foreign workers who were laid off by Gulf International Bank (GIB).

The protest is being organised by the Bahrain Bankers' Union and General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) and will begin outside the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) in the Diplomatic Area of Manama.

"Everyday tens of people are being laid off because of the economic crisis, so we are inviting everyone to join us to show solidarity with them," said organisers in comments published by Gulf Daily News on Tuesday.

The 37 Bahrainis and 22 foreign staff were sacked by GIB last month and given a three-month paid notice and one month's salary for each year of service.

But axed employees are demanding their jobs back or at least two-and-a-half months' salary for every year they worked, the paper reported.

The union and GFBTU previously sent letters to Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, CBB Governor Rasheed Al Maraj and Labour Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi urging them to support their case.

The Al Doi Monetary Trade Union Rights Group has backed the GIB workers and informed the International Labour Organisation of their plight.

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