MP warns of 'mass resignations'
MANAMA: Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air faces mass resignations by its pilots.
"There are 20 resignations submitted by pilots to the company to date," MP Shaikh Abdulhalim Murad claimed.
He said a rival airline company was benefiting from Gulf Air's woes and had interviewed its 46 pilots, describing the potential haemorrhage as a "real boon".
Shaikh Murad, who is also Gulf Air probe committee chairman, described the alleged mass resignations as tantamount to a "big crime". He also deplored what he called a "brain drain" which is bleeding the national carrier.
"Gulf Air is losing its best national competencies while corrupt gangs continue to thrive on public money," he said.
He also criticised "contradictory statements" issued by the government, the Economic Development Board (EDB) and Mumtalakat.
"Mumtalakat chief executive said Gulf Air would be transferred to the government before announcing that it would remain under the company's authority," he said.
He also cited the EDB chief executive's statement announcing the privatisation of the national carrier within a year although such plans were previously denied.
He blamed what he called a "mess" on "random policies and hasty decision-making". He also criticised the government for failing to co-operate with the probe committee.
"Sixty questions addressed to Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa remain unanswered to date," he said.
Shaikh Murad accused the government of "procrastinating to gain more time", with two months left in the fourth legislative session.
He also accused Gulf Air officials of sowing fear among employees, speaking of the need for 1,500 lay-offs, the majority of whom are Bahrainis.