Manama- Jan5 (BNA) His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa today paid tribute to Bahraini workers for their dedication in serving their country.
He took pride in their key role in promoting the march of development and boosting the national economy.

He hailed Bahraini workers’ acknowledged creativity, excellence and competence in all sectors.

HM the King was speaking as he received today at Al-Sakhir Palace Labour Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Humaidan, who was accompanied with Bahrain Labour Union Free Federation (BLUFF) Executive Board members led by Chairman Yacoub Yusuf Mohammed.

“The State spares no effort to promote Bahraini workers’ rights and guarantees”, HM the King said, hailing their crucial role as a cornerstone of national development.

He lauded BLUFF for its role in defending Bahrain’s vital interests, consolidating relations with Arab and international unions and projecting the Kingdom’s successes and landmark achievements.

He underscored the importance of work in promoting Bahrain’s development and progress and enhancing citizens’ welfare, stressing keenness on engaging citizens in all productive sectors.

He paid tribute to Bahraini workers, men and women, saying that the door is open for all people to serve their beloved country.

He reiterated full confidence in the people of Bahrain, hailing citizens’ lofty ethics, genuine mettle and keenness on reaching out to all others.

HM the King also extended his tribute to the expatriate community, commending the contribution of all residents in Bahrain’s development and prosperity.

“All residents prefer to live in the Bahrain owing to its people’s genuine mettle, famed kindness and warm hospitality”, he said.

He reiterated full confidence in Bahrainis’ dedication and devotion as they spare no efforts to serve the nation and ensure more landmark achievements.

“We are just at the start on the road which would hopefully lead us to more achievements”, he said, urging steadfast and well-thought steps to ensure a brighter future for upcoming generations.

“The most important thing is that we open the doors for all. This is our prime duty”, he said in a heartfelt message to all Bahraini people.

He stressed the need to give the priority to cater to citizens’ educational, health and housing needs, in addition to the prices of commodities.

He called upon all Bahrainis to take pride in landmark national achievements, hailing the Kingdom’s development strides.

He paid tribute to Bahraini women for their positive contribution in bolstering national development and prolific participation in all fields, in addition to their pivotal role in bringing up their children and looking after their families.

HM the king hailed the role of the Labour Ministry in training Bahraini youngsters and ensuring their integration in all economic sectors, lauding lined up projects and programmes to provide work opportunities for Bahrainis.

BLUFF’s Executive Board Chairman, in his speech, expressed thanks and appreciation to HM the King for his unstinted keenness to achieve the aspiration and demands of Bahraini labour, commending the issuance of the labour union law within HM the King’s reforms.

He regretted politicizing the union movement that had been coordinated by some foreign agendas aimed at weakening the state and the undermining Bahrain’s social structure.

He underlined HM the King’s wise directives and keen interest in supporting Bahraini labour to build a brighter future of Bahrain that to be emulated by the world countries.

He vowed that Bahraini labour to take the responsibility of defending Islamic and Arab causes, praising the Bahraini judiciary as an impartial and fair destination to resort to in resolving labour disputes.

He added that BLUFF has come to replace those who had monopolized the union action and called for civil disobedience and general strike in many government and private installations that have caused damage to the national economy.

He asked HM the King’s support in a number of topics:

First: To provide the BLUFF with a permanent headquarters to exercise its activities and programs that serve the affiliates and all Bahraini workers.

Second: To allocate a budget for the BLUFF to implement its plans for developing the Bahraini labor movement.

Third: To direct the Labour Ministry to take neutral stand between the BLUFF and the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions.

Fourth: Called on the government of Bahrain to continue backing up basic goods and fuel prices otherwise that will lead to raising the standard of living.

MJ / AHN

BNA 2132 GMT 2014/01/05