Sacked Bahrain GP staff reinstated

(CNN) -- Employees of the company running the Bahrain Grand Prix were reinstated on Wednesday, after they were dismissed following last year's civil uprising in the Gulf kingdom.

Staff at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) were initially sacked for being in breach of contract during pro-democracy protests in Bahrain in March and April last year.

The 2011 grand prix was canceled due to unrest, but the Sakhir race is scheduled for a return to the world championship calendar on April 22.

An independent report commissioned by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa recommended the reinstatement of the employees, in line with other private and public organizations.

"The reinstatement of our BIC colleagues is part of an important initiative towards national reconciliation and unity for the kingdom as a whole," BIC chief executive Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al-Khalifa said in a statement.

"I therefore welcome back our colleagues into the BIC family as we now look to focus on the future and the important job at hand."

Al-Khalifa is confident the grand prix can help to unite the people of Bahrain after a turbulent year.

"The BIC, and in particular the Formula One Grand Prix, is of huge significance to our country, acting as a strong unifier, given the support it receives from all sections of Bahrain society.

"I now look forward to working with all BIC colleagues to ensure that we continue to provide world class track events, which every citizen of Bahrain can be proud to support."

The Bahrain Grand Prix is set to be the fourth race of the 2012 world championship, with the season beginning in Melbourne, Australia on March 18.