Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Egypt (Ratification: 1957)

The Committee notes the entry into force on 30 March 1995 of Act No. 12 of 1995 amending some provisions of the Trade Union Act No. 35 of 1976.

1. The Committee notes that section 14(i) of Act No. 12 of 1995 requires the General Union "to approve the organization of strike action by workers in accordance with the rules laid down in the Labour Act". The Committee would recall that the right to strike is one of the essential means that should be available to workers and their organizations at all levels for the protection and promotion of their economic and social interests. The Committee requests the Government to ensure that this provision is amended so that first-level organizations have the right to strike without having to seek the authorization of the General Union.

2. The Committee notes that under the terms of section 19(f), workers are forbidden from becoming members of more than one general union even if they are engaged in more than one occupation. The Committee would draw the Government's attention to the fact that under the terms of Article 2 of the Convention, workers have the right to join organizations of their own choosing, without previous authorization. The Committee requests the Government to take the appropriate steps to amend this provision so that all workers have the possibility of joining more than one organization if they so wish, so that they are able to defend their occupational interests if they are engaged in more than one occupation.