Business community rejects independent trade unions

The Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC) rejected a Ministry of Manpower decision legitimising independent trade unions, Federation Head Ahmed El-Wakil said in a Tuesday statement.

Minister of Manpower Nahed Ashry approved last week a decision to form an independent union for land transportation workers.

El-Wakil said such decision will “damage” the Egyptian economy and weaken the trade union movements, adding that it can be misused for political purposes.

El-Wakil pointed to the existence of only one trade union, referring to the Egyptian Trade Union Federation (ETUF), to represent workers “for the interest of the economy before the interest of businessmen”.