Brussels, April 20: Cases of repression by the Egyptian Government against the Centre 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.

“The CTUWS plays an active and useful role in providing support to Egyptian Workers” said Guy Ryder, ITUC General Secretary. “It must then be able to do this without these kinds of restriction”, he added. In Egypt, Workers are struggling for respect of fundamental labour standards, particularly amongst workers in the informal economy and women workers. The CTUW also works on issues such as trade unions rights, trade unions elections or discrimination.

Founded on 1 November 2006, the ITUC represents 168 million workers in 153 countries and territories and has 304 national affiliates.

For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on +32 2 224 0204 or +32 476 621 018.