News

The last weeks in Egypt have witnessed several hundred deaths and violent scenes as the Egyptian military crackdown continues against those protesting against the overthrow of the democratically elected President, Mohammed Morsi.



UNI Global Union stands with the ITUC in expressing its deep shock at these events and calls for an end to the cycle of violence.



UNI Global Union General Secretary, Philip Jennings said, “The chilling events in Egypt have no place in a democracy. UNI joins with the ITUC in calling for dialogue between all the democratic forces, including the interim authorities and a rejection of violence. The Arab Spring in Egypt has turned into a summer of bloodshed which threatens a long embittered civil conflict where no-one wins.



“What is urgently needed is a renewed commitment to a democratic and civil political system where all human rights are respected including the rights of workers. Workers must be able to defend their rights and be free to organise fair unions. This should be a fundamental part of a newly democratic Egypt.”



UNI’s MENA regional coordinator, Mongi Abderrahim and Head of UNI SCORE, Neil Anderson will take part in a meeting with the ITUC in Amman Jordan 5-6 September to discuss ways to advance union rights in Egypt and the wider MENA region as an essential pillar of democracy.