A MAJOR CLEANING crisis has been averted in two of the most densely-populated governorates as operatives have put off imminent strike action planned over a pay dispute.
The expatriate workers have been demanding pay rises for cleaning the streets of the Capital and Muharraq Governorates.
In a statement Gulf City Cleaning Company (GCCC) announced that 1,125 workers would get up to an 18 per cent pay rise. “We are studying further pay rises according to performances to determine more payments,” it added.
“The issue about low pay is untrue and we give numerous allowances alongside health insurance, transportation, air fare and others. We urge the union to consider public welfare and that people’s lives are not affected.”
The company affirmed its commitment to resolving the matter, satisfying all parties. “We follow rules and ensure all workers’ rights are protected,” it added.
“Resolving the matter is in process and we have not rejected or objected to any of the given demands. We will continue meetings with our union and the ministry and we hope satisfactory outcomes will be reached.”
Trade Union president Jaffar Naji, representing many members of the workforce, revealed that negotiations have had positive outcomes with the company’s board.
“We have managed to get promises to have the wages of expat cleaners earning between BD55 and BD75 monthly increased,” said Mr Naji. “The same applies to expat drivers who currently receive between BD100 and BD200 monthly.
“A deal for Bahrainis who earn a ‘starter’ salary of BD300 monthly and occupy supervisory and inspection roles are set to get 15pc but that is still pending.”
Mr Naji said negotiations are set to continue today at the Labour and Social Development Ministry’s headquarters in Zayed Town.
“We don’t want to strike but if our full demands are not approved, then we may have no choice,” he added. “The 1,800 company workers, not just the 1,200 registered under the union, are our responsibility and everyone should benefit from any agreement.
“We understand the situation and that there could be a cleaning crisis in the country, but the work we do is huge, in return we are not getting properly paid and, now with expenses going up, workers’ have more commitments to meet.”
Meanwhile, Muharraq Municipal Council services and public utilities committee chairman Fadhel Al Oud welcomed the move to settle the dispute without a strike looming because it would likely have had a catastrophic outcome.
“Imagine people waking up during strike day to piles of garbage still in their bins or at their doorsteps,” he said.
“Strike action could have continued for days without any solution. Thankfully, it is on hold now, and I hope it never becomes a preferred option.”
A GCCC official also confirmed to the GDN that immediate strike action in the coming days had been averted. “The issue about low pay is untrue and we give numerous allowances alongside health insurance, transportation, air fare and others,” the company statement sent to the GDN added.
“We urge the union to consider public welfare and that people’s lives are not affected.”
The company affirmed its commitment to resolve the matter satisfying all parties. “We follow rules and ensure all workers’ rights are protected,” it added. “Resolving the matter is in process and we have not rejected or objected to any of the given demands. We will continue meetings with our union and the ministry and we hope satisfactory outcomes would be reached.”
The company describes itself as a ‘pioneer service provider’ in the field of cleaning and waste disposal services such as solid and liquid waste. It is part of Nass – one of the largest companies in Bahrain with more than 10,000 employees.
With its headquarters in Mina Salman Industrial Estate, GCCC employs workers at various operating locations across the kingdom and servicing several projects and contracts in both the industrial and commercial sectors.
In 2016, the government took legal action against a sanitation company amid allegations it was behind a major garbage crisis in another part of Bahrain. Sphinx Services provided cleaning services in the Northern and Southern governorates for seven years until Spanish firm Urbaser took over on July 1, 2016. The former had been accused of not properly carrying out work during the last days of its operation, which authorities claim was the reason for domestic waste piling up. Residents in heavily-populated areas complained of a foul stench and health hazards for more than 12 days before the situation was brought under control.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
&uuid=(email))