MANAMA, 12 December 2004 — Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) workers union revealed the launch of a petition demanding equal employment, promotion, training, and pay rises opportunities. In what came as a surprise move to many, the BAPCO workers union said that the petition was the first move in a serious of steps it planned to take to tackle the matter.
The union that accused the company of discriminating against employees and practicing preferential treatment said that it was expecting the majority of the 3,000 workers — 85 percent of whom are Bahrainis — to sign the petition. The union’s Vice President Sayed Hussain Sayed Hashim in a statement issued said that they had held a number of meetings with the administration to resolve the issue.
“No steps were taken to resolve the issue despite the repeated meetings,” he said.
“This situation had reflected negatively into BAPCO’s proficiency and production”.
Hashim also accused the company of using medical tests to disqualify potential candidates while at the same time continues use preferential treatment to hire less qualified candidates and non-Bahrainis.
“We want a joint committee to be set up so we can discuss these issues and to find acceptable solutions to issues related to employment, training, promotions, and Bahrainization,” he said.
A BAPCO spokesman indicated that it was an unnecessary move considering the working relation the management has with the union. “The management is fully prepared to meet with the union as soon as possible to discuss these issues,” he said.
The Bahrain National Oil Company (BANOCO), is wholly owned by the Bahrain government, and is the holding company for the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO).
In 1929 the San Francisco-based Standard Oil Company of California (Socal) — now known as Chevron — set up a subsidiary to acquire an oil exploration and production concession in Bahrain.