Center for Trade Union & Workers' Services

Employers Representatives Participate in the Discussion

Parliament Members Take the Initiative

To Submit the Draft Law to the People’s Assembly

The Center for Trade Union and Workers Services “CTUWS” organized a round table discussion to develop its draft law on trade union and labour rights. The Round Table Discussion was held at the Journalists’ Syndicate on Sunday evening 4/1/2009. The sole item of the discussion- which started 6 pm and continued for more than three hours and half- was the draft law and its explanatory memorandum which were prepared by CTUWS.

It is worthy mentioning that it was the second round table discussion on this draft law within the framework of CTUWS’ campaign to remove the legal restrictions on the right of association in Egypt. The first one was held on Wednesday 24/9/2008 and aimed to develop suggestions of the required changes in the Egyptian legal framework which organizes the exercise of trade union rights. After the first round table discussion, CTUWS issued the declaration of principles which contained criteria for the required changes with special emphasis on the rights which should be secured and the inviolable guarantees. This was followed by a series of meetings with active workers in various geographical sites to discuss their suggestions. This activity came in harmony with the works of the committee formed to develop the draft report. The committee prepared the draft report after consultation with Dr. Ahmed Hassan El Bora’ei who is a professor of law and a specialized expert in this field.

As soon as the draft law was completed, CTUWS yearned for discussing it with the other parties of production namely the government and the employers. Discussions were needed as well with the workers and civil society activists. It was in this context that the second round table was held yesterday for which the Ministry of Manpower and immigration and the employers organizations were invited.

As it is keen to respect the international labour standards, calling for the national laws to be consistent with them, the CTUWS tried to know the standards specialists' evaluation for its proposed. law. The ILO Specialists have attended the round table as observers. They were: Ms. Alya Gamal Standard Specialist [ILO Sub regional Office for North Africa], Mr. Mohamed Tarabulsy Workers Activities Specialist [ILO Sub regional Office for North Africa] consultant and Mr. Mustafa Saeed Director of the ILO Social Dialogue Project.

In an unprecedented initiative for interaction with workers activities, the employers' organizations were represented by Mr. Mohamed El Bahy Board Member of the Federation of Egyptian Industries and Vice President of the chamber of medicinal industry and Mr. Abdel Mon’em Madkour Board Member of the Federation of Egyptian Industries and Vice President of the Chamber of Printing industry. The Ministry of Manpower accepted the invitation and confirmed that the Minister or one of her deputies will take part in the round table discussion, but the organizers were surprised by the Ministry’s apology one hour before the beginning of the discussion.

Amongst the participants were distinguished trade union and labour leaders, representatives of the main political parties (Al Wafd, Al Tagammu and Al Karama and some independent members), five members of the parliament, one member from the Shoura (Consultative) Council, civil society activists and human rights activists. It goes without saying that Dr. Ahmed Hassan El Bora’ei consultant of CTUWS’ campaign and draft law took part in the discussion.

Workers activists came from all over the country especially from Helwan, Mehalla El Kobra, the new industrial zones of the 10^th Ramadan City and El Sadat City and Naj’ Hamady. In addition, there were members of the executive committee of the newly formed trade union for the real estate taxes employees whose participation added a new dimension for discussing the required legal amendments. The actual situation of the labour movement surpasses the present law and indicates without doubt that it is corrupt and outdated. Consequently, the emphasis is on the urgent need for legislative reforms.

The participants exchanged their rich and diversified points of view which included specialist opinions as well as field labour experiences. The ILO expert Ms. Alya Gamal-the ILO specialist who attended as an observer- expressed her opinion and accurate notes on the draft law provisions in relation with the basic labour standards. She emphasized, in particular, the criteria of non discrimination in the basic rights of the workers, the right to strike and the right to collective negotiations. The representatives of the employers organizations expressed their understanding of the basic orientation of the draft law and the workers right to form independent trade unions. They showed special interest in the role of the trade unions in vocational training.

The Members of the Parliament participating in the round table discussion announced their understanding to and full agreement with the general trend of the draft law and most of its provisions. They also took the initiative to adopt the draft law and submit it to the parliament as soon as it is finalized according to the conclusions of the round table discussion.

Most of the participants took part in discussing the different articles and provisions of the draft law, its method of classification and explanatory notes. While the participants approved the general trend of the draft law and most of its provisions, they gave useful suggestions for developing and/or amending some of its provisions. The different opinions concerning some details were also taken into consideration.

The participants concluded that the draft law is to be developed in light of the outputs of the round table discussion and the approved suggestions as soon as possible so that the present members of the parliament can submit it to the People’s Assembly for issuance.

The Center for Trade Union and Workers Services “CTUWS”

Monday 5/1/2009