I received a new report by the Egyptian Workers and Trade Unions Watch, for the whole of September, citing 94 industrial conflicts in 86 locations. Around 50,000 workers took part in strikes, sit-ins or protests; while another 170,000 workers have either threatened industrial action or, according to the EWTUW, are expected to do so soon.
Tag: workers
Italian unions denounce Mubarak’s crackdown on Egyptian labor activists
I received a copy of the following letter…
Cgil
Cisl
Uil
His Excellency Hosni Mubarak
President of the Arab Republic of EgyptThe Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Italy
p.c.: Guy Ryder
ITUC General Secretary
BruxellesEsteemed Mr. President,
CGIL, CISL and UIL wish to express our most serious condemnation of the recent imprisonment sentence against Mr. Kamal Abbas, General Coordinator of the Center for Trade Unions and Workers Services (CTUWS) and his lawyer, Mr. Muhammad Helmy.
We are concerned that these prison sentences follow a long tradition of the CTUWS, an independent civil society organization committed to defending trade union and workers rights in Egypt.
We reiterate our support to CTUWS activities, as we are aware of its commitment in favor of workers’ rights and trade unions in Egypt. In this particular case, it seems to us that the sentence is targeted at affecting freedom of association and of expression.
On behalf of CGIL, CISL and UIL and in the name of global human rights, we urge you, Mr. President to ensure that CTUWS is not persecuted and that this particular case could be reviewed.The International Department
CGIL CISL UIL
Giacomo Barbieri Luigi Cal Cinzia Del Rio00198 Roma
Corso d’Italia, 25
Telefono 06/8476100198 Roma
Via Po, 21
Telefono 06/8473100198 Roma
Via Lucullo, 6
Telefono 06/47531
French rail workers extend strike
From Al-Jazeera…
A strike by rail and energy workers in France to protest against the government’s new pension plans has crippled bus, underground and rail services across the country.
Initially meant to be a one-day strike on Thursday, it has been extended by another day.
The strike is seen as the first major challenge to changes put forward by Nicolas Sarkozy, the country’s president.