News

On May 29 BATELCO, Bahrain's monopoly operator for fixed, Internet and data services, dismissed 44 employees under an early retirement scheme despite an arbitration court ruling against it. The employees, 34 men and 10 women, filed a court case against Batelco after rejecting the earlier retirement offer last August. They won their case in April, but were allegedly told to stay home on full pay until Batelco found them jobs in the company. However, they were given notices that their contracts would be terminated.



The General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) and the Batelco Trade Union are supporting the employees and asking people to boycott Batelco services as well as organising a march to protest against the unfair dismissal. This Friday about 10,000 employees and their families, civil socities, non-governmental organisations, MPs and other unionists are expected to take part to express solidarity.

GFBTU announced the demonstration was being held to support of the former Batelco employees but also for all workers who had been unfairly dismissed.