Progress was also made on the reinstatement of workers in the private sector. This is the work of a tripartite commission, established last November at the International Labour Organization, to review the cases of all dismissed workers. On March 11, 2012, the three parties, the ITUC-affiliated General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU), Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan and the country’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, agreed to extend the life of the commission to ensure that all cases are reviewed and workers reinstated.
“This is a welcome development, which ends a year of hardship and uncertainty for these workers and families. It is a testament to the power of dialogue and negotiation, and underlines the positive role that the ILO can play when governments respect its mandate and mission,” said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow. “While real steps have made, the commission’s work is not yet complete, and we urge it to ensure that all workers illegally fired are returned unconditionally to their work as soon as possible.”

The negotiation process followed a highly critical report by an independent inquiry commissioned by the King of Bahrain, as well as detailed information provided by the ITUC to the ILO regarding the mass dismissals. A range of issues remain to be settled. Bahrain must ensure that all the remaining suspended or dismissed workers are reinstated unconditionally and without delay. Further, all pending criminal charges against trade unionists must be dropped, and those in detention released immediately.

The government has also committed to considering ratification of ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Convention 98 on Collective Bargaining. The ITUC is urging the government to ratify and implement these Conventions as evidence of a renewal of labour relations in Bahrain. The continued active involvement of the ILO will be particularly important in assisting the parties to find solutions to these remaining issues.