Trade unions in the Gulf, even though some countries do not allow foreign workers to form unions, are joining calls to push for tougher laws to protect foreign workers by bringing new legislation that governs the salaries and working conditions.
President of General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions, Abdulghaf-far Abdulhussain said this would also help reduce local unemployment by making it less desirable for employers to import foreign workers.
The organisation held a two-day seminar to discuss the plight of foreign workers in the Gulf.
He said foreign workers in the GCC should be treated on an equal basis as the local workforce.
"We hope to protect (foreign) workers by granting new legislation for their rights and wages," he told the Gulf Daily News.
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"Some organisations exploit their workers by paying them low wages, treating them like slaves by making them work for long hours and providing no health and safety measures -- this is not acceptable."
"Expatriate workers in our country face discrimination and a lack of rights -- therefore, we have to work hard to protect them. Expatriate and Bahraini workers should be equal in terms of wages, work incentives and other rights in order to regain balance in the labour market in the GCC," he said.
Trade unions from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, the UAE and Kuwait, are taking part in the seminar.
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