The International Trade Union Confederation has issued a statement in solidarity with the Center for Trade Union and Workers’ Services:
Cases of repression by the Egyptian Government against the Center for Trade Union and Worker Services (CTUWS), an independent civil society organization committed to defending trade union and other workers’ rights in Egypt, have occurred recently in Egypt. The ITUC is concerned in particular about the decision to shut down the CTUWS branch in Naj Hamadi, in Southern Egypt. CTUWS staffs have also been intimidated in the Mahalla City branch office.
An official from the Social Solidarity Regional Office, who was under instruction to file a report on this subject with his ministry, investigated the CTUWS work and the nature of its activities while the the CTUWS Branch of Naj Hamadi was shut down by Administrative Decision issued on Thursday 29 March 2007 by General Al Sherbeeny Hasheesh, Chairman of the City of Naj Hamadi.
In a letter sent to the authorities, the ITUC urge Hosni Mubarak, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, to issue instructions to the relevant governmental bodies to rescind the restrictions and other measures imposed on the CTUWS.