"الملف ‎10/1 G عمالة شركة نفط البحرين (بابكو)" [و‎‎٢‎٠‎٩] (٥٨٦/٤٢١)

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3THIK SITUATION AS ON 28th D'SCIiTBEH 1943.
The position to-day Is that some 600 employees of the Bahrain
Petroleum Company are on strike, ^he "Refinery, the Tank Field, cer
tain of the Transport Personnel, and the Jea Transport and Harbour
Operatives at Sitrah are now involved. The Refinery has not yet
stopped work but it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep the
machinery functioning.
2. Mr. Anderson informed me this morning at a meeting at which
the Adviser was present that he desired to make known immediately
the new Benefit Plans and the increases in -'ar Allowance with certain
reservations regarding those persons who were at present on strike.
I drafted the notification addressed to the strikers which
would be issued at the same time as the publication of the afore
mentioned Benefit Plans, &c. The notification was agreed to by Ttr.
Anderson and the Adviser. A copy of this notification is attache'!.
I have with reluctance agreed to this course of action as I
dislike intensely giving in to people who are using force to obtain
their ends but I feel that it is unfair to those persons who are
remaining at their work to keep the Benefit Plans &c., any longer
secret, and I also fee) that the special notification with regard to
the persons at present on strike will have an effect which will off
set any feeling of elation on their part at achieving their ends.
In the afternoon I went to Kaa^a and interviewed His Highness
and at my request the Adviser was present. His Highness agreed to
our suggestions but added that he would like to see the men paid for
their Friday holiday. Both the Adviser and I considered this was
reasonable as it appeared to us to be the normal practice that a
workman should receive pay for his weekly holiday. I undertook to
mention the matter to Mr. Anderson immediately after the termination
of my interview with His Highness. His Highness pointed out to me
that the Agency employees had received a 40% increase in pay and
seemed anxious to compare our action with the Company's proposed
increase of 20%. I pointed out to him that the 20^ increase by the
Company would, owing to the higher basic pay of their employees,
make the Agency and the Company almost exactly on a par as far as
/wages
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