Page 327 - Records of Bahrain (5) (ii)_Neat

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Employment issues at BAPCO 647

Bahrein Island, Persian Gulf.
December 9, 1930.

Meeting held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, Deoeiuber 5th at
the Awali Main Office of The Bahrein Petroleum Company, Ltdl,
to discuss the complaints registered on behalf of Class III
Bahreini employees by the so-called "Leaders'1 in letter ad­
dressed to the Political Adviser, dated 29th Ramadhan. The
following were present;
Messrs. H. Weightman
C. D. Belgrave
F. A. Davies
M. H. Lipp
C. E. Davis
J. S. Black
The primary purpose of the meeting was to provide Messrs.
Weightman and Belgrave with information on the basis of which
they would be able to answer the many points raised, The
letter submitted by "The Leaders" was discussed point by point
as follows:

1. Providing better housing for the local employees.
It was pointed out that —
a. The Company now have approximately 12o Class
III men housed in gutch and feroosh quarters —
gaugers, refinery operators, and houseboys.

b. There should be in the near future additional
accommodations for Class III men through
moving certain buildings into their comp and
by reason of the vacating of the present
temporary Class II and III hospital when
facilities become available in Manama.

c. Study is at present being given to the type
of construction best suited for the housing
of the Class III men the Company will want to
keep close to the operations.
In response to the complaint that some men •.. are re­
quired to live with others of different status in life, It can
be stated that the men are in general permitted to pick their
own roommates, providing they are willing to do so and do not
attempt to occupy a room by themselves or with a smaller number
than it is planned for.

2. Drinking water.