The struggle for freedom, social justice and equality, the fight against oppression, exploitation, poverty and discrimination are at the heart of the democratic and independent Arab trade union movement, ITUC said in an announcement. Based on the rejection of all forms of colonialism, racism, sectarianism and terrorism, the Democratic and Independent Arab trade union movement seeks to unify all its force to fight for trade union rights, for the establishment of genuine social dialogue in the Arab countries, for the creation of decent jobs, in particular for young people, as well as for the defence of the rights of migrant workers and those in the informal economy. The struggle for women’s rights, which are particularly repressed in the Arab region, and for a more equitable participation of women within trade unions is equally a fundamental priority on the agenda of the democratic and independent Arab trade union movement.

The founding organisations have adopted provisional internal rules, and conferred on the representative of the ITUC secretariat the responsibility to submit the adopted documents to the next meeting of the ITUC General Council.

The ITUC represents 175 million workers in 156 countries and territories and has 315 national affiliates.

Last year, thousands or workers, many of whom were trade unionists and union leaders, were illegally fired based on their political opinion and/or in violation of the right to freedom of association. In November, as a result of international pressure, an ILO tripartite committee was established to review the cases of dismissal with an aim of reinstating those workers who had been wrongly terminated for their involvement in the protests. While many workers in state-owned industries were reinstated, they were not necessarily reinstated to the same jobs on the same terms and conditions. Progress on reinstatement appears to have stalled. Workers in the public and private sector remain unemployed well over a year later.

The government has also committed to considering ratification of ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Convention 98 on Collective Bargaining. To date, we have seen no efforts to ratify those conventions or to bring the laws into conformity with those conventions.

Public vilification of the trade union movement continues, as billboards, articles and blogs baselessly accuse the GFBTU and specific leaders of acts including treason. This has created an extremely hostile environment for the trade union movement. In this context, the government has now supported the creation of a new, pro-government trade union with the aim of marginalizing the GFBTU.

The ITUC calls on the government to:

1. Immediately implement the tripartite agreement with regard to reinstatements and ensure all workers illegally fired are returned to their work at the same wages and conditions of work. The government should also work to ratify Conventions 87 and 98 and ensure that their laws are in full conformity. Recently-passed legislation does not accomplish this goal.

2. Immediately implement the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry.

3. Engage with trade unions and civil society in a good faith process of national reconciliation.

Failure to make these steps means that the ITUC will maintain its request for an ILO Commission of Inquiry under Convention 111.