CONFIDENTIAL FROM BAHRAIN TO FOREIGN OFFICE Cypher/OTP FOREIGN OFFICE AND WHITEHALL DISTRIBUTION Sir B. Burrows Sir B. Burrows A 212612 No. 1462 D. 1.30 p.m. November 25, 1957 November 25, 1957 R. 2.08 p.m. November 25, 1957 PRIORITY CONFIDENTIAL Addressed to Foreign Office telegran No. 1462 of November 25, Repeated for information to P.O.M.E.F. Commander BFAP Kuwait C.in-C. East Indies and Saving to Dubai Muscat Doha Strike in Qatar. Oil Company workers have for some time been demanding various increases in remuneration and [gp. undec] facilities concerned with annual increases of pay and "commutors' allowances" paid to those working at Umm Said, but living at Doha. Intensive discussions have been taking place between the Sheikh Ahmed, representing the Ruler, and the general manager of Q.P.C. About half the demands were met and the chief outstanding difference was on the amount of commutors' allowances, on which the workers were asking 90 rupees a month and the company offering 60 rupees instead of the present 45. On November 23 the majority of the commutors refused to return from Umm Said to Doha after work until persuaded to do so by Sheikh Ahmed personally. On November 24 all Qatari workers at both Umm Said and Dukhan stayed away from work. Strike continued today. No disorders have been reported. Discussions are continuing actively and the Political Agent is taking part as appropriate, H.M.SK Gambia happened to be paying a visit to Umm Said on November 23 and 24. She is due to leave today. Commander-in-Chief East Indies will consult with the Political Agent before deciding whether to do so or to stay longer. 2. From information at present available the dispute appears to have a genuine industrial basis, but high degree of organization shown suggests the possibility that this is being played on by subversive elements. No evidence supporting this is yet available, but enquiries are being pressed. Foreign Office pass to P.O.M.E.F. as my telegram No. 344. [Repeated to P.O.M.E.F.). HHHHH CONFIDENTIAL
