In shade of the fierce attack against the independent trade u ions which reached the limit of arresting trade union leaderships and the accelerated juridical prosecutions during the past few months, the Egyptian Democratic Labour Congress will hold the ordinary session of its general assembly on Friday 11th April 2014 under the title Supporting the Independent Trade Unions at the premises of Upper Egypt Association, 65 Al Qubeesy Street, Al Daher, Ghamra, Cairo.

The opening session which will start at 09:30 will be attended by representatives of political parties: Mr. Abdel Ghaffar Shukr president of the Popular Alliance Party, Dr. Hala Shukralla President of Al Dustour the Constitution Party, Dr. Ahmed Hassan el Boraei former Minister of Manpower, Mr. Mahmoud el Alayly general secretary of the Free Egyptians Party, Mr. Ahmed Fawzy general secretary of the Egyptian Democratic Party, Mr. Esam Sheeha member of the Higher Body of Al Wafd Party and its legal and political consultant, Eng. Sabry Fawzy for the Bread and Freedom Party (under establishment) and several representatives of the Egyptian civil society organizations, international labour organizations (with the ILO on the top), the International Trade Union Confederation ITUC and representatives of a number of international professional federations and a number of the Egyptian trade union and labour leaderships.

The plan of EDLC targets defending the Egyptian workers rights, supporting them in building their independent trade unions freely, enabling trade unions to face the challenges which confront them, promote the values of joint and democratic action, unity, performance efficiency and capacity building particularly in collective negotiations at all levels.

Three years have passed after the announcement of the Trade Union Freedoms Declaration but independent trade unions are still in their transitional stage. The law on trade union freedoms is not issued to date. They are in a standstill as they move forwards and backwards in an area which is wide sometimes and narrow in other times according to the changes of the successive governments. They are subject to despotic approaches and the tendency to return to the era of despotism. They are under the threat of corruption and bureaucracy which exist everywhere. The independent unions are still young and lack mature experiences and skills. They bear the burden of a society which does not accept the other, did not learn how to build unity without confiscating the right to differ, did not learn how to manage social dialogue and negotiations, how consensus is born from conflicting opinions or how conflicting interests can meet sometimes and settle at a point at which balance is attained.

Three years have passed after the announcement of the Trade Union Freedoms Declaration on the background of the revolution and amidst its high hopes but the independent trade unions are facing serious challenges. Yes, the workers established hundreds of trade unions. Yes, many trade unions grew up and became very strong. Yes, regional, professional and national federations  were established. Yes, we gained a constitutional provision which secures trade union freedoms. But, once again, we are facing an attack which should not be underestimated. As usual with every wave of strikes the attack targets the independent trade unions considering them inciters, causes or even the conspirators. As usual, the independent trade unions are regarded as synonym of chaos and advocator of division.

During the period from 19th March to 2nd April 2014 the first link for holding the EDLCs general assembly was completed. It comprised 10 regional and professional conferences for EDLCs affiliates which exceed 175 trade unions with a membership of more than 200 000 workers. The regional conferences which were held were for the member trade unions of the Regional Federation of El Sadat City Trade Unions, the 10th of Ramadan City Trade Unions, the Regional Federation of Delta Region Trade Unions, the Regional Federation of the Suez Canal Region Trade Unions, the Regional Federation of Alexandria Governorate Trade Unions, the Regional Federation of Southern Egypt Trade Unions, the Regional Federation of Greater Cairo Trade Unions, the Independent General Trade Union of Public Transport Workers, the Professional Federation of Post Workers and the General Trade Union of Street Mongers.

The conferences verified the membership, accepted new membership and consequently authenticated the membership of the General Council which reached more than 60 members as a result of the increase in the affiliates and membership.

Members of the Egyptian Democratic Labour Congress hope that the agenda of their general assembly a new starting point for EDLCs action to improve working conditions and defend the Egyptian workers rights on the top of which is their right to establish their trade unions in a democratic and independent manner subject only to the will of the workers themselves.