Show of support for workers

More than 600 people flocked to Saar Mall over the weekend to support the kingdom’s workers during the shopping destination’s International Labour Day Festival.

A range of activities and games were staged alongside stands promoting start-up businesses and small companies set up under the banner of the Bahraini Productive Families.

Saar Mall manager Esmahan Bokhowa, said: “It was such a wonderful weekend and so many people came out to show their support. There were many smiling faces and lots of laughter throughout the event.

“We organised this to honour the tremendous contribution of the kingdom’s workers and promote and raise awareness of the many start-up companies trying to make their first steps on the commercial ladder.”

The Bahrain Free Labour Union Federation, delegates from Bahrain Youth Investors (BYI), bloggers and various business group families helped kick off the festivities on Friday.

Around 20 booths showcased handcrafts including knitted table covers, bags, lotions and beauty products, decorated boxes and customised key chains and mugs.

Members of Parliament Jalal Kazim, Ghazi Al Rahma and Mohammed Abu Al Shouk opened the festivities on Saturday and presented certificates and plaques to invited employees from the mall and municipality.

Businesses under the wing of youth business initiative Tamkeen’s Mashroo3i also displayed products and services such as Little Pose, a photography company that staged a photo-shoot session for babies and Decorative Factory which presented its Bahrain-made embellished glass, metal and wooden pieces.

Other entertainment included a motorbike show and the BYI Challenge Chambers featured rooms for games of strategy, information technology and maths. Another highlight of the two-day celebrations was a theatrical performance staged by Al Bader Primary School Scouts.

Mall management thanked the employees working within its stores on stage by offering cash prizes and gifts to staff members.

The food court offered special celebratory deals and shoppers even received free Arabic desserts from Ward Al Sham restaurant.