US ends Bahrain sackings probe

US ends Bahrain sackings probe
27 October 2011 – Morning Stark uk

A group of US government investigators wrapped up a probe in Manama today into the Bahraini government’s mass sacking of trade unionists and others suspected of links to opposition protests.

The US Department of Labour launched the inquiry in response to a complaint filed by the AFL-CIO, the largest US union confederation.

The group is trying to block a free-trade deal following widespread sackings of workers and union leaders in the wake of a Saudi-backed crackdown on protesters demanding greater civil and labour rights.

The investigators’ report will be finished by December.

Bahraini people, including thousands of trade unionists and members of the minority Shi’ite community, began protests in February calling for progressive reforms, including an end to the monarchy’s monopoly on appointing top government officials.

At least 35 people have died in the military crackdown and hundreds have been purged from jobs or arrested, including some sentenced to life in prison or given death sentences for killing soldiers and police.

Bahrain’s biggest union confederation, the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions, says that 2,500 people have been kicked out of their jobs.

But the Obama administration is wary of doing anything to antagonise Bahrain’s rulers, who host the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.

US rights groups are currently lobbying Congress to block a proposed $53 million (£33m) arms sale to the kingdom.
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