A planned strike today by DHL workers in Bahrain has been called off, following last-minutetalks between management and union representatives yesterday.
Hundreds of DHL staff had threatened to walk out today at the integrator’s Middle East regionalexpress hub, after several months of discussions had failed to satisfy their demands for salaryincreases, a shift allowance, an improved transport allowance and health insurance for allstaff.
However, last-minute concessions from DHL appeared to have gone some way towards meetingworkers’ demands.
A DHL spokesperson told CEP-Research: “We are pleased by positive developments which haveresulted in no interruption of work.
“DHL is still actively engaged in discussions with the union to reach a common understanding. Weare hopeful that a mutually beneficial resolution can be reached soon.”
The spokesperson said DHL Bahrain had continually invested in its employees, and through thecompany’s annual salary review and development training programmes, staff had received significantsalary increases.
“On top of an overall average salary increment of 5% for DHL Express employees in Bahrain, thecompany implemented new heat and transport cash allowances and extended health benefits for theirfamilies,” the spokesperson said.
“In addition, the company has confirmed plans to enhance transport allowances and introduceshift allowances.”
DHL said that in the event of a strike, the company had “contingency measures in place that willensure uninterrupted service delivery”.
