Bahrain Airport Services (BAS), the provider of ground handling services to all aircraft operators using the Kingdom's airport, said it has been recognised yet again for its outstanding human resources development and rewards initiatives.

BAS said it won the Ministry of Labour Award for Best Salary Improvements in 2012 at an event held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad in the Crowne Plaza, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Deputy chief executive Salman Al Mahmeed, who received the award, said it celebrates and recognises outstanding companies and employees from the private sector.

BAS was one of only two companies in Bahrain to receive "The Shield of Excellence" in recognition of its outstanding efforts.

The award comes in appreciation of the company's commitment to providing safe, equitable and rewarding work environment, which includes recruiting, training and developing local talents.

"Bahrain workers are the true wealth of this country and we have to work further to achieve more as we look into a brighter future full of promising success," Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan said in his opening speech.

BAS chief executive George Saounatsos said: "Our company's human capital is its most important asset; thus investing back in our people, part of the achieved margins through improved incentives and rewards is at the core of BAS corporate philosophy.

"We restructured twice the pay and grading scale last year, simplifying it and ensuring that the basic remuneration of lower-waged staff is increased while allowances are rationalised, achieving a fair and substantiated policy for all staff,  he noted.

"This effort will continue in 2013 as well," he added.

BAS was also recognised by the Labour Ministry for being one of the top five employers on the island to reach Bahrainisation levels of more than 85 per cent, with many areas across its operations reaching 100 per cent mark.

This level of Bahrainisation has been achieved by BAS with the strategic implementation of world-class training and development programmes.-TradeArabia News Service