Rights of women in the workforce and expatriate labourers will be highlighted this weekend, as unionists prepare to host a series of Labour Day activities.

The country's two main trade unions - General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) and Bahrain Free Labour Unions Federation (Al Hurr) - have planned several programmes starting from Thursday, including a rally, medical camps, family days out and honouring ceremonies, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Al Hurr chairman Yaqoob Yousif told the GDN foreign workers from different companies will be honoured at a ceremony on Thursday at the Crowne Plaza Bahrain.

"We have sent out invitations to cleaning and construction companies to nominate their staff, who will be awarded during this ceremony," he said yesterday (April 27).

"Also, this year we will highlight the ongoing problems of contract substitution in which a worker is promised a specific salary in his home country but is forced to sign another contract with lesser pay on arrival in Bahrain.

"These workers are desperate and rely on verbal agreements promised to them by their bosses, which is not fulfilled and later affects them."

The organisation will also host several activities for families on Friday at the Prince Khalifa bin Salman Park in Muharraq, starting 3pm.

On the same day, the GFBTU will organise its annual Labour Day march that will start at 4pm from Abdulrahman Kanoo International School in Salmabad to the Labour Ministry in Zayed Town.

Thousands are expected to attend the rally including members of more than 45 trade unions which are registered under the GFBTU umbrella.

"In addition to the trade unions, several non-governmental organisations will also take part in the Labour Day march," said a GFBTU spokeswoman.

"We have invited women's associations to participate in hopes of encouraging female workers to join trade unions and be active members.

"We would also like to see expatriate workers be part of all the activities as they are an important contributor to our economy."

The following day, on Saturday, the GFBTU will organise a family day at Adhari Park at 4pm, where handmade products by Bahraini women will be up for sale.

Meanwhile, more than 4,000 people are expected to benefit from a medical camp which will be held on Friday (May 1) at the Indian School in Isa Town from 8.30am to 6pm.

The Mega Medical Fair 2015 is being organised by the Capital Charity Association, Cancer Care Group, Indian Medical Association-Bahrain Chapter, Dar Al Iman, Indian Community Relief Fund and Pravasi Guidance Forum.

Medics from around 14 hospitals, including Salmaniya Medical Complex, will take part in the event, which will also include workshops.

"More than 50 doctors, including specialists from various government and private medical facilities, will be screening people of different age groups," said organising committee chairman Dr P V Cheriyan yesterday.

"We have specialists in modern medicine, homoeopathy and Ayurveda available for consultation and more than 70 nurses and paramedical staff to offer assistance."

Discover Islam Society will also hold a free medical camp on Friday in association with Al Amal Hospital Group.

Around 2,000 expatriate labourers are expected to benefit from the camp, which will be held from 1pm to 7pm at Abdulla bin Jubair Jamia Mosque in Ras Zuwaid. - TradeArabia News Service