The role of Independent Unions in Egypt’s Revolution

For the thousands of workers who helped lead Egypt’s February 2011 revolution, a new day has dawned. On March 12, 2011, the International Labor Organization (ILO) hailed the Egyptian Minister of Manpower and Migration’s historic recognition of workers’ right to form independent trade unions, free from government interference, that represent their interests. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Egypt’s workers and union activists, workers will finally be able to freely join representative trade unions and bargain with the government and employers to ensure that economic development works for all Egyptians.

The road to freedom of association in Egypt was long. From 1952–2011, Egyptians were subject to an autocratic government backed by the military establishment. Basic civil liberties and human rights, including freedom of association, were severely restricted. No trade unions could form outside the government-dominated Egyptian Trade Union Federation (ETUF) and its 23 affiliated general labor unions, whose leaders were closely tied to the ruling party. Egypt was one of 25 “individual cases” discussed by the Committee of Experts on the Application of Standards at the ILO’s 2008 International Labor Conference, and the ILO requested that the Egyptian government revise the Trade Union Law to bring it into compliance with core labor standards.

In 2004, high unemployment, stagnant wages, loss of benefits, and dramatic price increases on basic items were key influences in a wave of worker protests. Starting in textile factories, the protests quickly spread to the transport, food service, and construction sectors. White-collar professions such as teachers, journalists, and tax collectors joined, and eventually workers from all sectors at all economic and social levels were involved. Even though local union committees refused to authorize strikes, and ETUF leaders refused their support, workers continued to strike for their rights in their individual workplaces without ETUF authorization (required by Egyptian labor law).

As the protest movement grew, workers also started to campaign against the official trade union structure. They began to demand the right to form independent unions that would represent the interests of their members, and not the ruling party.

YouTube – The role of Independent Unions in Egypt’s Revolution.


Read the Report: Afl-cio-The Struggle for Worker Rights in Egypt a Report by the Solidarity Center



AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on Trade Union Solidarity With Egypt:



For more info on Unions and Egypt:

COSPE

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COSPE is a member of internationally recognized organizations and networks such as SOLIDAR , ENAR (European Network against Racism), More Colour in the Media , TRANSFAIR ; it has signed a Framework Partnership Agreement with ECHO (European Commission Humanitarian Office) and has been accredited to the Conference of the Parties of the CCD (Convention to Combat Desertification)

http://www.egyptsites.com/dir/egypt-international-organizations