Public Services International joins the International Trade Union Confederation in welcoming the new, independent Egyptian Federation for Independent Unions. PSI affiliate the Real Estate Tax Authority Union (RETA) is leading this independent trade union movement.
On 31 January, the Egyptian opposition called for a general strike in favour of democracy and fundamental rights. The move followed the previous day’s call for a general strike by the newly established Egyptian Federation for Independent Unions.
The independent trade union centre EFIU was established on Sunday, January 30, 2011 by independent trade unions of tax collectors (RETA), health professionals, teachers, retirees and workers in a wide range of major industries. In its founding statement, the EFIU calls for Egyptian workers “to organise and defend their workplace and all citizens during these critical times and to organize protest actions and strikes to realize the people’s claims”.
“This is a hugely important step for all Egyptians, who have for so long been denied the right to democratic representation at work. Independent unions, which the regime refused to recognise, have organised thousands of local strikes, sit-ins and protests in recent years, and have been a moving force behind the massive mobilisation of Egypt’s people that we have been witnessing in recent days,” said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow in a statement.
“The workers are angry!” – Press release, 1 Feb 2011, of the independent Center for Trade Union Workers and Services CTUWS (This website has been blocked by the Egyptian government)
«Les travailleurs/euses dans une colère noire» – Communiqué de presse, le 1 février, 2011
“The Egyptian People calls to overthrow the regime” – CTUWS statement, 29 Jan 2011 (English and Arabic)
PSI tells Egyptian authorities: “Listen to your people” – (PSI statement 28 Jan 2011)
http://www.world-psi.org/TemplateEN.cfm?Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=27022
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