Bahrein - Major companies refuse to negotiate with unions

The General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) reports that a number of major companies in Bahrain have refused to initiate negotiations with unions, despite the existence of collective bargaining mechanisms set up in each company, including Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard, Batelco, the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), Gulf Air, Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill (Garmco), DHL and the Bahrain Airport Services. Garmco even started negotiating directly with workers instead of union representatives.