An international human rights group says Bahrain's government and state-linked firms in the country have fired more than 2,000 workers in apparent punishment for participating in Shi'ite-led protests.

Human Rights Watch says the schools, hospitals and government ministries “arbitrarily” dismissed the pro-democracy workers from their jobs.

The New York-based group has urged authorities to investigate the dismissals.

The kingdom's Shi'ite majority began protests in mid-February to demand a new constitution and more representation in the Sunni-led government.

Bahrain says 24 people were killed during a wave of opposition protests in February and March. Security forces cracked down on the protest movement with the help of troops from neighboring Gulf states.