MANAMA

WORKERS who claim they missed out on pay rises under a government shake-up won a minister’s backing yesterday. The promise came as scores of low-ranking Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs Ministry workers demonstrated outside the ministry complex in Manama.

The minister, Mansoor bin Rajab, went out into the heat to meet them, then invited them into the cool for talks.

The employees, gardeners, cleaners, office boys and others, claim they were missed out under restructuring of job grades at the ministry.

They asked Mr Bin Rajab to look into their jobs and the difficulties they face, to see if they deserve pay rises and allowances which others benefited from.

Mr Bin Rajab promised that the problem would be solved and that they would be included in the restructuring.

“Most will benefit,” he said as he met the employees at the ministry’s meeting hall.

“We will look into the problem and find solutions to it in the shortest time possible to ensure that your rights as our employees are not being taken away from you.

“I hope that ministry and Manama Municipality officials will look into your demands and give what you seek in the fairest and just way possible.

“At the same time, any change to the structure that would violate the law is unacceptable.”

Mr Bin Rajab praised the employees, saying that what they had done was courageous.

“Everyone wants the best for their families and I am here to listen to your problems and ensure they get solved,” he told them.

“This will develop the work we give to the community and is in line with the leadership’s directives to help overcome any problem Bahraini workers may face.”

The demonstrators thanked him for his intervention.

Manama Municipal Council chairman Majeed Al Jazeeri was present as a mediator.