Alba honours women employees at Bahraini Women's Day celebration

The event - held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Women - was attended by two Guests of Honour from the Supreme Council for Women Huda Salman, Public Relations and Media Manager, and Hanan Al Ammadi, Administration and Finance Manager.

Also present at the event was the Chairman of Alba's Board of Directors, Mahmood Hashim Al Kooheji , the Chief Executive Officer, Tim Murray, Chief Support Function Officer, Basem Al Sharqi, Chief Operations Officer, Isa Al Ansari, Acting Chief Finance & Supply Officer, Ali Al Baqali and the Chairman of the Alba Labour Union, Ali Bin Ali as well as managers of different departments, members of the Alba Labour Union and Alba's women employees.

Commenting on the event, Chairman of the Alba Labour Union, Ali bin Ali, said, "Our sincere thanks go to all female employees in Alba and a special thank-you goes to the representatives of the Supreme Council of Women for honouring us with their participation in Alba's event. We praise the efforts made to empower women, through the members of Shura Council, which started earlier with four ladies and now it embraces eleven - proving the Bahraini women's capability of being involved on the decision-making front."

The Public Relations and Information Manager at the Supreme Council for Women, Huda Salman, said, "It is indeed a privilege to belong to a nation like Bahrain that has formulated progressive policies that encourage gender equality at all levels. From the beginning, Bahrain's political leadership has recognised women as equal stakeholders in the kingdom's progress and has made it possible that opportunities to thrive remain open for everyone."

The Chief Executive Officer, Tim Murray, added, "At Alba, we join the Kingdom of Bahrain in celebrating Bahraini Women's Day and in playing our part in strengthening gender equality at the work place. The company is widely praised for providing employees with opportunities for career advancement backed with industry best incentives. These opportunities are based purely on merit, and as a result, many of our women employees have reached senior positions in the organisational hierarchy and participate in decision-making."

The Chairman of Alba's Board of Directors, Mahmood Hashim Al Kooheji, said, "Gender equality and employee empowerment irrespective of gender or other factors are considered as priorities in Alba. Hence, I am proud to say that our employees - both men and women - have made a positive impact in boosting the company's productivity and profitability. And as we celebrate Bahraini Women's Day, it is also my privilege to recognise and applaud the role of our women employees who have risen through the ranks purely on merit and helped in raising the company's profile regionally and globally."

Alba has also been successful in its Bahrainisation drive, and today, 87% of its 3,000 strong workforce comprises Bahraini nationals. The company currently has the maximum number of women employees in any industrial company in Bahrain.

The company holds the honour of having the first woman engineer in Bahrain as well as the first woman doctor to be in charge of a medical facility in an industrial plant.