For over 50 years, Egyptian union activities were constrained by the General Federation of Trade Unions, established under Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1956 to control the working classes. But in 2009 Egypt’s property tax collectors announced the establishment of the country’s first independent trade union, the result of a long sit-in. They went on to compel the government to improve their financial conditions.

For over 50 years, Egyptian union activities were constrained by the General Federation of Trade Unions, established under Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1956 to control the working classes. But in 2009 Egypt’s property tax collectors announced the establishment of the country’s first independent trade union, the result of a long sit-in. They went on to compel the government to improve their financial conditions.

 The emergence of independent unions accelerated after the 2011 revolution, and the first federation of independent trade unions was established by the end of the year. Workers’ protests never stopped, despite the decline in mass movements after the second revolution in June 30, 2013, which raises questions about the new unions – especially since they have made few tangible gains.

Critical situation

“Our demands are still the same and we will not abandon them for thieves,” was the slogan of the conference organized by the Egyptian Federation of Independent Trade Unions on Labour Day last year. It was attended by numerous representatives of the newly established unions, who together inaugurated the establishment of the Independent Journalists Union. This was formed in the aftermath of the revolution of January 25, 2011 in an attempt to protect journalists’ rights, often neglected by the state Journalists Union. It is true that the official union did play a prominent role in opposing Sadat’s policies in the 1970s, as well as leading demonstrations against President Hosni Mubarak more recently. That was one reason why attempts to create an independent union were resisted, and condemned as attempts to destroy the power of the state unions.

“These accusations are the main reason why the Independent Journalist Union and dozens more were established,” Basfi said in response. “Corruption has prevailed in all the unions including the Journalists Union, which has always supported the ruling regimes, regardless of journalists’ rights, for fear of losing the ‘bribery’ it receives from the government in the form of monthly salaries that union members get – they called them ‘technology allowances’.”

Basfi’s independent union, on the other hand, does not receive any state funding, relying on its members for financing. He argues that that means the union can defend the rights of journalists without fear of government pressure.

Opposition leadership

Kamal Abbas, general coordinator of the Trade and Union Services Centre, one of the oldest and most prominent human rights organizations, also welcomed the growth of the independent unions. “The role of the independent unions has a great influence in defending the rights of the working class,” he told Correspondents. “It is enough that the union was able to reveal the ugly face of the General Federation of Trade Unions and the poor performance of the government.”

Kamal pointed out that independent unions have organized numerous sit-ins and strikes to force the government to respond to workers’ demands, sparked by crises in the Public Transport Authority in Greater Cairo, the Postal Authority, and the Public Transport Authority in Alexandria. Institutions like Mahalla, which represents workers in the texture, iron and steel industries, where no independent unions have been established, have organized strikes and participated in negotiations on their behalf.

Assassination attemptsMohammed Salim, head of the Democratic Federation of Trade Unions, believes that heavy pressure has contributed to restricting the influence of the independent trade union and their failure to achieve most of the goals for which their were established.

He accuses the Labour Ministry of neutralizing the independent unions by closing their bank accounts, ignoring the recommendations of their general assemblies, and attempting to prevent their establishment. In addition, there have even been assassination attempts and random arrests against independent union leaders.

But the failure of the independent unions is not only down to external pressure from the government. They have also been riven with internal problems, pointed out political scientist Nadine Abdullah. “Their inability to develop effective mechanisms to resolve disputes have weakened their position in trying to achieve the major demands of the workers, including a minimum wage and the freedom to establish unions,” he said.

Possibilities

Will the position of the independent unions remain so weak? Abdullah thinks that several solutions could be put into action, including talks between all parties and a law to guarantee the freedom to establish unions. He believes that all parties must know that workers’ rights need to be guaranteed, and that members’ demands may not be accomplished in the transitional period that Egypt is going through.

In addition, the state must acknowledge that independent unions could prevent social problems if they were granted the necessary freedoms – such as the right to establishment – and if the rights of workers were addressed, following the examples of Eastern Europe and Spain during their transformations in the 20th century. In time, the unions may be able to solve problems that the government cannot address, if they are allowed to participate in the decision-making process, and workers’ rights are granted. In addition, the General Federation of Trade Unions urgently needs to shift its role from serving governments to defending the working classes.

Basfi agreed that Abdullah’s recommendations should be put into action – especially the freedom to establish unions and the principle that government and independent trade unions should not be legally distinguished. Kamal Abbas, on the other hand, said it was more important to develop a sustainable negotiation mechanism between the government and the workers in which independent unions were represented.