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UNI’s MENA coordinator, Mongi Abderrahim was denied entry into Bahrain at the border along with several other union officials and representatives from the ILO. They had come to Bahrain to attend the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU).



Philip Jennings, UNI General Secretary said “The Bahrain government has got it wrong. The right to unionise is a basic human right. This kind of cynical anti-union behaviour is an affront to democracy. We along with the ITUC will be seeking answers and assurances from the Bahrain authorities. The GFBTU should be applauded for standing up to these bully boy tactics and holding a successful congress despite a number of international participants including UNI not being present.”



Jennings added, “We are proud that UNI's Jaafar Khalil Ibrahim has been elected onto the GFBTU Executive Committee. Jaafar joins six women on the 15 member council. It is a step forward in addressing gender inequality in the Arab region and positive move from the labour movement.”

A total of 23 international observers, including representatives of the ILO and trade unions from the Arab region and elsewhere, were denied entry visas by the government.

“We congratulate the GFBTU for its successful Congress, despite the heavy-handed government harassment against the Federation. Strong trade unions, capable of representing working people even when the authorities try to repress them, are an essential part of any decent society and economy. We are proud of the GFBTU, and trade unions from the region and across the world will continue to support them in their struggle,” said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

UNI joins with the ITUC in calling for an end to Bahrain’s anti-union campaign.