Today my telecom provider cut my connection to broadband and the Internet. I don’t blame them. I haven’t paid my bill and so they have every right to do such a thing.

But maybe someone in authority should examine their own conscience. Ten years ago, on March 31, 2002, a judge in the courts of Bahrain made a judgment in my favour against my previous employers (private businessmen) for non-payment of salary and other benefits.

I have been waiting since that day for payment. Every time I filed an appeal for the court officials to collect the money, the concerned judge has turned down the application. In these 10 years I have used up all my savings and earnings to remain on this Business Friendly island to carry on fighting for justice.

I have recently been informed that one of the businessmen concerned is related by marriage to a senior official at the court. Would you give orders to seize his bank account if that official was your boss? Most countries in the civilised world would call this corruption or collusion. In Bahrain it is called wasta. Combine this with the inability of government departments to answer correspondence or take action when informed of such examples.

It was encouraging to hear recently that the law in Bahrain applies to everybody. Maybe in such cases as mine, where the law has been circumvented, the higher authorities should assume responsibility for settlement and should include a bonus to allow for compensation for such a long wait and the costs incurred.
Dr Joe