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5000 Al-Hamad workers on strike

by Benjamin Millington on Jun 10, 2009

13 Comments

Workers at a labour camp are refusing to work until they are paid.

More than 5000 workers for Al Hamad Contracting Company in Bahrain have called a flash strike today after not receiving their wages for more than two months, according to several sources.

Al Hamad is the main contractor for a number of major projects in Bahrain, including Villamar Towers, Marina West and Reef Island, all of which were forced to stop construction this morning, said sources.

“Everybody is feeling very frustrated, I have not been paid since March,” said an engineer who spoke to Construction Week on the condition of anonymity.

“Some workers refused to get on the buses this morning and didn’t go to work at all. Others, who are scared to be sent home, did go but have since left the site and walked back to their labour camps.”

“Only some sub-contractors are on-site now.”

Workers at a labour camp, which can accommodate up to 2000 people, said they are refusing to work until they are paid. They said up to 7000 workers across several camps are involved in the strike.

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FEATURED COMMENT

I think comments which come from Al Hamad's staff are baloney, these comments are nonsense, workers are poor and is real

13 Comments

Readers' Comments

amjad (Jun 19, 2010)
manama
Bahrain

a view depends on my previous experience with al hamad
I think comments which come from Al Hamad's staff are baloney, these comments are nonsense, workers are poor and is real that Al Hamad management treat them bad.

firas (Jun 19, 2010)
manama
Bahrain

stash slaries
Well, I believe the people who comment here are not the workers. These views do not express the workers feelings and reflect their demands. For the gentleman who bullies Bashar, I think you should keep to yourself, you can't blind people and you can't throw sand in people's eyes. What Bashar said is the truth, I think the difference is you and your manager create facts to fit your truth. And, he should attend an English class? What the hell is that supposed to mean? Who are you to judge people? You know people who live in glass houses shouldn't...

Hamad (Jun 24, 2009)

We have got paid
We would like everyone to know that we get paid two salaries in one month and there is nothing outstanding. Thanks for Al Hamad management. Everyone should know that AHC is doing just good.

suresh (Jun 11, 2009)

Govt. should pay them
I presume like Dubai the Bahraini govt. takes a security deposit for each visa they grant. The workers should be paid out of this and the company fined for thier behaviour. I would also like to know what the Indian embassy in Bahrain is doing about this.

Birender Singh (Jun 11, 2009)
Manama
Bahrain

Strike
I have read the comments from Al Hamad Management. How can he comment on the delay like this? I understand that he may be an engineer or a person who is getting more than BD500 salary for him it will not be a problem, but for a person who is getting BD70-80 it is a real problem. So, I think before the Al Hamad office management writes a comments he should think twice. For a labour it is a real problem and Al Hamad staff and labours are not getting salary correctly from the year 2009 and now it is delayed for the last 2 and half months.

Al Hamad Const. & Dev. Co. (Jun 10, 2009)
Manama
Bahrain

Strike
(From an Al Hamad representative) Dear All, Due to the bad economy situation which is affecting the whole world and not only Al Hamad, a lot of BIG Companies were closed and a lot of employees were terminated, iam speaking here about companies which are bigger than Al Hamad. I don't know why everybody is commenting like as the whole world is in perfect situation and only Al Hamad is delaying the salaries (1 Month delay). I wish that everybody will think before writing his comments about the whole situation in the whole world and not what is only happening in Al Hamad.

Pradeep Nair (Jun 10, 2009)
Safat
Kuwait

Al Hamad Workers on Strke
I am hearing this news of Al Hamad Construction Company workers not paid salary for the last two months. For the last five months the salary was being delayed as I came to know from the workers and engineers who are my friends in Al Hamad. It is being strange to hear from the staffs of Al Hamad like this and a company of much reputation does this.

m (Jun 10, 2009)
manama
Bahrain

strike
Bachar, You are full of it. You are upset since you have been kicked out last week.

Al Hamad (Jun 10, 2009)
Manama
Bahrain

Bachar .M.El Zain
Dear Bachar, first of all you have to attend an intensive english class in order to write english in proper way (i.e. People, people, people and not peoples). If you are an engineer it is really shame to speak in this way about other people (and not peoples)who are working in the same field. On the other hand, if you are not an engineer that is all what i want to say. Thanks a lot.

B (Jun 10, 2009)
Manama, Bahrain

strike
All al Hamad staff is well aware that they are a lucky few who were getting the salaries and benefits on time,compared to the rest of the world,even in this time of recession. Labourers are striking for two months salary which itself shows, that they were regularly paid until now. The management has already committed for immediate payment, so it seems this strike is politically motivated.

Ahmed. (Jun 10, 2009)
Villamar
Bahrain

Al Hamad Construction Co.,
Al Hamad Construction Company has an unshakable foundation with many a feather in its cap.The loyal Work force only needs to be reminded of their duty to stand by the company in its time of need. Al Hamad will fare through this storm as it has before and shall continue to see its glory days.Wish the company a speedy recovery.

A (Jun 10, 2009)
Manama
Bahrain

AL HAMAD & DEDICATED STAFF
The above comment is not true at all. Al Hamad has always paid salaries on time. The innumerable prestigious projects completed by Al Hamad shows the calibre of the staff. Most of them are dedicated staff of high calibre. Inspite of not having work for a few months in UAE, it was only Al Hamad which did not make anybody redundant & that is why all the staff are faithful to the company.

bachar .M.el zain (Jun 10, 2009)
dubai u.a.e
United Arab Emirates

5000 Al HAMAD CONT WORKERS ON STRIKE
If it is same company of AL HAMAD CONT SHARJAH -UAE. Means it's true they always have delayed in paying salaries & labours wages. So it happened many times in mother company whether in dubai& sharjah.Workers strike.They are poor peoples (workers)but the senior staff are getting huge salaries & Bonuses. In Addition to that many facilities & benefits. But most of them are useless engineers. the main advantage for them is the family relative owner of the company.

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