Bahrain Trade Unions Demand Setting Up of Safety Authority
Suad Hamada
5 November 2009
5 November 2009
MANAMA — The formation for a national occupational safety federation authority was demanded by unionists after Bahrain registered more than 36 worksite accidents last year.
The demand was made during the two-day Health and Safety Excellence Forum that concluded on Tuesday.
Organised by the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU), the forum highlighted concerned that from 18 worksite deaths in 2005, the number doubled last year.
The Chairman of the GFBTU, Salman Mahfood said that if implemented, Bahrain would be the first country in the Middle East to have a separate authority promoting safety and workers’ rights.
According to GFBTU, the proposal to set up the National Occupational Safety Authority has been finalised by the Ministry of Labour and is awaiting final decision by the legal affairs committee at the Cabinet.
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