More than 360 of Bahrain’s outstanding employees were honoured yesterday marking Labour Day, said a report.

Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan presented the awards at separate ceremonies hosted by Bahrain's largest trade unions - General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) and Bahrain Labour Union Free Federation (BLUFF), according to the report published in the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

More than 150 employees were honoured at the BLUFF event at the Gulf Hotel, while 218 workers were awarded at the GFBTU event at the Crowne Plaza.

Humaidan asserted at the BLUFF event that Bahrain has made a breakthrough regarding workers' rights this year.

"Through the application of the principle of trade union pluralism and the establishment of BLUFF to advocate workers' rights, Bahrain has been able to achieve a breakthrough in its labour track record," he said.

"Perhaps the best examples are the new labour law in the private sector which ensures more rights for all categories of workers as well as the Trade Unions Act, in addition to projects recruiting and training job-seekers," he added.

Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Dr Essam Fakhro explained the importance of co-ordination among government, workers and employers for progress.

He said the Chamber was keen to give a suitable environment for both workers and employers, in line with the national economy and regional and global economic variables.

Parliament chairman Dr Khalifa Al Dhahrani paid tribute to the workers in a statement.

He asserted parliamentary support to the workers and expressed his confidence in their ability.

He hailed their contribution to the economy and development and stressed the readiness of the legislative authority to meet their demands.

Dr Al Dhahrani also urged the trade unions to work together and stressed the importance of steering away from polarisation. – TradeArabia News Service