A WAR of words has broken out between Bahraini unionists and an Arab organisation, which claimed Bahrain was among war-torn countries with an increase in conflict-related disabilities.
The Bahrain Free Labour Unions Federation (Al Hurr) is now demanding an apology from the Arab Labour Union (ALO), after the claim was made during one of its events in Lebanon.
A letter to ALO director general Fayez Al Mutairi on Sunday described the comment as “false and malicious”, calling for an immediate retraction.
It was made by Lebanon-based Arab Organisation for People with Disability general manager Jehda Abu Khaleel during a seminar in Beirut, which her group co-organised.
“Unfortunately, because of armed conflicts in the Arab world – including Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Palestine and, to a lesser extent in Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain, ending in Iraq and Syria – it is likely that the percentage of injuries leading to disabilities is increasing, which calls for application of rules against this in these countries,” Ms Abu Khaleel said in a presentation.
However, Al Hurr media and public relations vice-chairman Hamad Al Sabaei told the GDN its representative at the conference, Ibrahim Al Ghanem, was denied permission to refute the comment.
Lebanon is home to Hizbollah, a Shi’ite militant group and a proxy of Iran that is accused of helping foment unrest in Bahrain.
“The claim that Bahrain has people with disabilities due to armed conflicts and use of weapons is false and malicious,” said Mr Al Sabaie.
“Ms Abu Khaleel has randomly listed Bahrain among those countries, but definitely that is not the case in Bahrain.
“She did not reach out to any Bahraini official or trade union leaders to verify her findings before presenting such an allegation in a public forum.
“Nor did she substantiate her claim with references, as required when a paper is presented.
“Al Hurr was represented at the forum by its member Ibrahim Al Ghanem, who sought permission to address this issue to deny it.
“However, he was not allowed to do that.
“We demand an unconditional apology from the ALO and Ms Abu Khaleel – and at the same time demand the name of Bahrain be removed from the paper immediately.”
The three-day conference in Beirut was held under the patronage of Lebanon’s Labour Ministry and the Arab Organisation for People with Disability.
It discussed ways to develop legal and institutional frameworks for the disabled and integrate them into the Arab labour force.
“ALO should remain professional in serving labourers and trade union issues,” added Mr Al Sabie.
“Its stance should be free from politics and sectarian tendencies.
“We deplore the false information about Bahrain, which does not relate to reality and is not based on evidence or information.
“This attempt to spread lies about Bahrain and a number of other Arab countries, and efforts to mix the purpose of the seminar with lies that will damage the reputation of member countries, is unacceptable and unhealthy.
“We have enquired with the ALO about reports and facts on which the paper was based and we strongly condemn such false information.
“We do not yet know the motives behind it and we regret the conference administration allowed such lies to be presented at a distinguished forum.”
Launched in 2012 Al Hurr is one of Bahrain’s two main labour movements and represents around 20,000 members, including expatriates, with 18 trade unions under its umbrella.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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