Virus mutes May Day

TDT | Manama

Bahrain yesterday joined workers all over the world in celebrating an unusual Labour Day were traditional May Day demos and gatherings were scaled back with Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdowns in place all around.

Essam Khalaf, the Minister of Works, Municipality Affairs and Urban Planning, extended congratulations to all the frontline workers here saying, “the Kingdom has tremendous respect for them, who are a key part of the nation-building process.”

“Celebrating this occasion underscores the Bahraini government’s respect to workers in all sectors,” said Essam Khalaf adding that the ministry is keen on ensuring all preemptive measures to ensure workplace safety amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The minister extended heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.

He said the world is observing the occasion amidst exceptional circumstances, noting that the Ministry has taken all preemptive measures in line with the recommendations of the national task force.

On the eve of International Workers’ Day on May 1, the United Nations International Labour Organisation (ILO) warned that half of all workers worldwide – amounting to 1.5 billion people - are in danger of having their livelihoods destroyed by the coronavirus pandemic.

There were arrests in the Philippines, Russia and Turkey, a riot in Indonesia and pepper spray in Hong Kong as some broke confinement rules to hold public assemblies.

May Day carries extra significance this year after the epidemic sent the global economy into a tailspin, put unprecedented numbers of people out of work, and cast some of the world’s lower-paid workers -- nurses, garbage collectors, shop tellers and delivery drivers -- in the role of modern-day heroes.