Investigations into absenteeism by Bapco staff during anti-government protests in Bahrain are continuing.

The company has already sacked around 200 employees for allegedly skipping work and taking part in an 'illegal' strike.

However, it said an investigation committee was still probing the conduct of staff still on its books.

'Investigations are still going on with other employees who were involved in recent events,' the company said in a statement yesterday.

The statement was issued following a board meeting chaired by Energy Minister, National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) chairman and Bapco chairman Dr Abdulhussain Mirza, who pledged to 'double efforts' to improve Bapco's operations.

The meeting reviewed the investigation into Bapco absences and the decision to sack 12 members of the Bapco Trade Union board 'for their direct involvement in instigating employees and calling upon them to join a general strike in Bapco,' according to the statement.

It also reviewed the sackings of 192 employees for allegedly instigating or participating in a strike or insulting the country's leadership, as well as the suspensions of six more.

Dr Mirza said he welcomed a probe also being carried out by a parliamentary committee set up to investigate absences at Bapco.

Meanwhile, Bapco also held its annual general assembly meeting yesterday, during which the company said it discussed a board report for last year and approved audited financial statements for the year.-TradeArabia News Service