تحت رعاية جلالة الملك المعظم، مملكة البحرين تحتفل بمناسبة يوم العمال العالمي .. وزير الشؤون القانونية وزير العمل بالوكالة: نعتز بالدور الحيوي الذي يضطلع به العمال في بناء الاقتصاد الوطني وترسيخ ركائز

30-04-2025

Under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of the country, may God protect him, the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions and The Bahrain Free Labour Unions Federation held their celebrations on Wednesday on the occasion of International Workers’ Day, in the presence of His Excellency Yousif bin Abdulhussain Khalaf, Minister of Legal Affairs and Acting Minister of Labour, Mr. Fayez Ali Al-Mutairi, Director-General of the Arab Labour Organisation, representatives of the three production parties, several members of the House of Representatives and the Shura Council, and economic and commercial figures in the Kingdom of Bahrain. During the two ceremonies, a group of outstanding workers were honoured in recognition of their distinguished contributions to the comprehensive development process witnessed by the Kingdom of Bahrain during the prosperous era of His Majesty the King, may God protect and preserve him. At the beginning of both ceremonies, His Excellency Yousif bin Abdulhussain Khalaf, Minister of Legal Affairs and Acting Minister of Labour, delivered a speech in which he conveyed to the attendees and to all workers in the Kingdom of Bahrain the greetings of His Majesty the King, may God protect and preserve him, and His Majesty’s appreciation for the working cadres as the fundamental pillar in the comprehensive national development process. He also conveyed the greetings of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, and His Royal Highness’s appreciation for all working cadres in various work and production sites, and his pride in their continuous contributions to supporting construction and progress. His Excellency stressed that celebrating International Workers’ Day is an occasion to embody pride in the vital role played by workers in building the national economy and consolidating the pillars of growth in the labour market. It also represents an opportunity to highlight the Kingdom of Bahrain’s efforts to establish the principle of effective social dialogue and provide a balanced work environment that preserves the rights and gains of all parties involved in production—especially in light of the unprecedented acceleration in technological developments and artificial intelligence applications worldwide. He pointed out in this context that these rapid technological transformations, despite the promising opportunities they carry, simultaneously impose growing challenges on the labour market, requiring redoubled efforts to prepare the workforce, equip it with future skills, and enhance its readiness to keep pace with evolving employment and production patterns. He affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to developing legislative frameworks and national policies to ensure a balance between technological development and the protection and sustainability of jobs. In this regard, the Minister stated that in recent years, several initiatives and projects have been implemented that contribute to building an advanced knowledge economy, support the stability and growth of the labour market, stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship, and create more quality opportunities for citizens—most notably the National Labour Market Plan for (2023–2026). Modern legislation has also been issued in line with international labour standards, ensuring sustainable productivity, the continued growth of the national economy, and enhancing competitiveness and market attractiveness for quality investments with added value. His Excellency highlighted the importance of strengthening co-operation frameworks and constructive social dialogue between the government, workers’ representatives, and business owners, to ensure balance and stability in the labour market. He noted that this requires ongoing joint work in a spirit of partnership and responsibility to create a work environment that encourages creativity and innovation, keeps pace with the ambitions of the next phase, and meets citizens’ aspirations. In turn, Mr. Fayez Ali Al-Mutairi, Director-General of the Arab Labour Organisation (ALO), delivered a speech at both ceremonies, in which he praised the hardworking Bahraini workers who, with their dedication, wrote the most creative stories of achievement. He considered every worker an icon of giving, stressing that the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, may God protect and preserve him, has made the Bahraini citizen the focus of its strategies—investing in his education and qualification to be an effective partner in creating economic and social renaissance. Mr. Al-Mutairi pointed out that the Arab Labour Organisation continues to support labour issues and protect workers’ rights and gains, highlighting the organisation’s role in promoting a safe and healthy work environment, raising workers’ readiness to keep pace with technological developments, and qualifying them to meet labour market needs. For their part, Mr. Mohammed Abduljabbar Al-Kooheji, Second Vice Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Mr. Arif Ahmed Hejres, the Chamber’s Financial Secretary, stressed in their speeches at the two ceremonies that celebrating this occasion reflects a firm affirmation of the high status enjoyed by the national workforce, and represents a genuine appreciation for its inexhaustible contributions, which form the basic pillar of building the national economy and driving progress in various fields. They noted the efficiency, dedication, and professional discipline shown by the Bahraini workforce, commending the partnership with trade union federations to create a stimulating work environment that aligns with the aspirations of all parties in sustaining labour market growth. They called for continued work in a spirit of teamwork to strengthen the national economy and preserve gains and achievements at various levels. In his speech during the ceremony organised by the General Federation, Mr. Abdulqader Abdulkarim Al Shehabi, Secretary-General of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions, expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty the King, may God protect and preserve him, for his generous patronage of these annual celebrations, which reflect His Majesty’s keenness, may God assist Him, to strengthen the work process. He emphasised the importance of policies that protect workers and safeguard their rights by promoting dialogue that makes them partners in decision-making, preserving workers’ gains and rights, and supporting union work. He praised the national efforts and their pivotal role in driving production and development in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In his speech during the ceremony organised by The Bahrain Free Labour Unions Federation, Mr. Yaqoob Yousef Mohammed, Executive Council Chairman of the Bahrain Free Labor Unions Federation (Al Hurr), expressed his sincere thanks and great gratitude to His Majesty the King, may God protect and preserve him, for his generous patronage of this annual occasion. He stressed the importance of supporting policies that protect workers’ rights, enhance their participation in decision-making, and preserve their gains and union rights, praising the role of national competencies in effectively contributing to the Kingdom’s development.