Bahrain union chief dismissed

The head of one of the largest industrial unions in Bapco was sacked for encouraging employees to take part in protests

The head of one of the biggest trade unions in Bahrain has been dismissed for "encouraging" staff to strike during the protests that brought the declaration of martial law last month.

Abdul Ghaffar Abdul Hussain, the chairman of the trade union at Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), was told to leave his job as a mechanical supervisor with immediate effect, his employers said. He was notified by a letter sent to his home on Thursday.

"The reason the company fired him is because he was encouraging staff to strike, which is not part of the law," said Naji Ahmed, a spokesman for Bapco.

Mr Ahmed said industrial action in the oil and gas industry was not permitted but Mr Hussain had "instigated" the strikes in which more than 60 per cent of staff did not show up for work between March 16 and 22.

But attendance is now "above 85 per cent", Mr Ahmed said, adding Mr Hussain's position as head of the union was also terminated by virtue of his no longer being an employee of Bapco.

An investigation into absenteeism over the past month has been launched by the government. Unauthorised leave is believed to have damaged Bapco's economic performance.

Mr Hussain disputed the allegations, saying he had urged those striking to return to work.

"We know that the company is the heart of this country because of its oil and we were trying to do our best to keep the refinery running," he said. Mr Hussain had been with Bapco for almost 40 years.

He added because of the political situation some employees were unable to reach their work but had notified the company in advance.

Bapco, which has a daily production capacity of more than 250,000 barrels of crude, has curtailed its output. The company's management said the fall in production was related to maintenance work, not staff staying away.

The government of the smallest Gulf economy said last week it was clamping down on absenteeism among public sector employees as it tried to restore productivity after weeks of unrest.

Workers absent without permission would be subject to action that could include a cut in salary or termination of employment, the government said.