May Day Egypt: Statement of the ITUC and PSI
The ITUC and PSI attended the 1st free May celebration of EFITU, the new independent trade union movement of Egypt. The celebration took place on the historical ground on the Tahrir Square, the symbol of the Egyptian revolution against dictatorship and corruption.
The ITUC and PSI are shocked by the attempts to disturb the celebration
through violence. This violence is believed to have been organised by the
ETUF, the former state trade union that lost all credibility due to its links to the former regime and its stand against the Egyptian revolution.
The EFITU leadership continued its celebration with a march around the Tahrir Square joined by thousands of workers.
This event only makes the EFITU stronger. Egyptian workers are now more aware than ever that only a real independent union can defend their rights, while the former state union ETUF apparently still believes that it can maintain a monopoly position by using violence against workers.
The ITUC and PSI also hold the Egyptian authorities responsible for not taking any safety measures to protect the workers and enable them to celebrate May Day in freedom.
The international trade union movement will continue to give its full support to EFITU. It is the only trade union organization in Egypt today that can and will listen to the voice of Egyptian workers.
The world’s trade unions fully support the EFITU in its determination that nobody will be allowed to steal the revolution from the Egyptian people and the Egyptian Workers.