Bahrain's biggest trade union shut down its headquarters in Adliya after rumours that international human right activists were planning to meet sacked workers without their consent.

The General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) took the action to reduce tensions as they registered the names of workers dismissed for absenteeism.

'The union premises was closed temporarily as a precautionary measure,' said a source.

The union had been registering the details of workers sacked for taking part in a nationwide strike for the unemployment insurance scheme.

A police patrol jeep along officers in civilian clothes later showed up at the building and did not allow anyone to enter.-TradeArabia News Service