Federation of Trade Unions Organizes Seminar on the Impact of the Financial Crises

On 23-24 May 2009, a conference was held in Bahrain to discuss impacts of the current financial crisis and its repercussions on employment in Bahrain and the GCC. The conference was organized by the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions in cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the trade unions of Norway,

A memorandum by the ILO issued last April with regards to the impact of the economic and financial crisis on Arab Countries. The memorandum stated that the insurance system against employment implemented by Bahrain ensures protection against unemployment and redundancy and guarantees workers’ return to their work. This is achieved through connecting financial support to participation in training courses, obtaining professional advice and matching skills with the appropriate work through the job centers. This is in case of an increase in the percentage of terminated contracts in the future as a result of the financial crisis. The report also added that Bahrain is the only Arab country which provides unemployment insurance to support the income of the unemployed including those seeking jobs for the first time. The plan also includes facilitating their return to productive jobs. (Al Wasat, 23 May 2009).