Allegations made against Batelco by an MP are totally unfounded, sensational and defamatory, Batelco chairman said today.

Shaikh Hamad Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa said Batelco’s Board of Directors had investigated all the allegations which were raised by the MP and concluded that they were groundless and defamatory to Batelco's corporate reputation, the board and leadership team.

"It is extremely disturbing that sensational allegations without a shred of evidence were made against Bahrain's flagship company," said Shaikh Hamad.

"A detailed report has already been presented to Mumtalakat, Batelco's main shareholder, addressing all the allegations and providing documentary evidence that refutes all of the matters raised in parliament. The Batelco Board has instituted over recent years very disciplined corporate governance and controls across the organisation and has significant involvement with management in many high impact decisions including union disputes, employee salaries and benefits, company acquisitions and HR and other functional policy setting," stated Shaikh Hamad.

"Commercial Bahrain companies have clear policies and delegation of authority between the board and executive management. Batelco's management operates within clear policies approved by the board,” he said.

"The board has full confidence in Batelco’s CEO and the executive leadership team. A talented and experienced team with competitive telecoms experience, comprising Bahrainis and other nationals, is transforming Batelco into a world class company, expanding its operations across the region and delivering strong results," commented Shaikh Hamad.
 
"The 52-page report that has been presented to Mumtalakat details the facts. No person has benefited with $30 million in a golden hand-cuffs deal, no lawyer or legal firm has been paid BD11 million, executives did not spend BD10,000 on any diving trip and the BD 1.5 million project was approved by the board and awarded to IT companies in the UK and Dubai," stressed Shaikh Hamad.

"Batelco is proud to have the highest Bahrainisation rate, 93 per cent, for any large employer in the Kingdom and was recently commended by the Ministry of Labour. We are pleased to have some very experienced nationals from 16 nationalities contributing to Batelco's operations. No one foreign nationality dominates any part of Batelco's operations. In fact, foreign nationals make a unique contribution to Batelco’s competitive strategies. Training and Development plans are in place to transfer skills and Batelco will continue to be an employer of choice for the most talented Bahrainis and internationally experienced professionals. Also, all employees, Bahrainis and other nationals receive appropriate remuneration consistent with their roles and responsibilities," commented Shaikh Hamad.

"It is unfortunate that these unsubstantiated allegations have been made without the opportunity for Batelco's board to offer the MP relevant details which would have allowed him to conclude that such allegations were just rumours. It is disappointing that such allegations potentially defame and discredit one of the most successful companies in Bahrain and the region. We are currently considering all legal avenues and remedies available to Batelco in response to the unfounded allegations and these will be discussed at the next board meeting on 30th January," said Batelco's chairman.

"Batelco's Board and Management are focused on transforming Batelco into a very competitive and high performing company in Bahrain and across the region. Transforming Batelco to deliver better value to customers is the most pressing priority for the board and management, in a time when the TRA is accelerating regulatory reform and competition intensifies. These allegations are very misleading and without merit. They are diverting attention from Batelco's priorities," concluded Batelco's chairman. –