Don’t compare jobs: Alba Labour Union Chairman

Manama

 Commenting on the statements of one of the Alba officials who said there was no difference between the working conditions of Alba and a ship-repair company, Alba Labour Union Chairman, Ali Al Binali said one cannot compare the heat experienced by an aluminium smelting company with that of a ship repair company.

 “Since the establishment of Alba and until today, everyone knows about the harsh conditions and the dangers of working in Alba. The workers often don’t eat their meals, which leads to fatigue, in addition to the hot temperature in the smelter, which may exceed 45°C. The heat of the metal could go over 900 °C,” he said.

 The Alba Labour Union Chairman said, to protect the workers from metal splash, Alba has provided the workers with heavy and thick uniform that increases the body temperature of the workers.

 Due to more sweating, the workers have to change their uniforms more than twice daily, during working hours, Ali Al Binali said.

  Due to the aluminium dust and its dangers on workers' health and lives, it is very important for Alba's workers to wear masks. The masks protect them from fumes but makes breathing difficult, especially in the hot and very humid weather, he said.

 Aluminium melting is done with very high electrical current that causes many diseases for all those working nearby, he said, requesting the official to compare the salaries of Alba workers with that of other smelters in the Gulf.

 Meanwhile, he stated that Alba Labour Union will go ahead with their protest on May 28, from 5.30am to 6:30am, against the decision of stopping the BD20 increment to Alba workers, which has been the practice since 2006.