Striking for the right to strike

Workers call on the dissolution of the state-controlled Trade Union Federation in the hope of creating independent labour unions

As strikes and protests continue for better work conditions and pay across a wide range of sectors, a fierce demonstration erupted outside the Egyptian Trade Union Federation (ETUF) yesterday to tackle one of the root concerns: the right to (legally) strike.
Since 1957, Egypt's trade unions have come under full state control, leading to the authorization of only two labour strikes over the past 54 years. Of the 24 unions that comprise the state-run ETUF, 22 of them are headed by members of former president Mubarak's National Democratic Party.
Now, with the ousting of the president, labour activists want to see the ETUF entirely dissolved and replaced with free, independent unions.
Under this call, 500 demonstrators began gathering outside the ETUF's premises yesterday at 4pm, many of them from the Union of Real Estate Tax Authority Employees – Egypt's first independent union.
Its president, Kamal Abu Eita, listed the protesters demands as: the dissolution of the federation, the right to establish independent trade unions that are recognized by the state as free, as well as the freezing of the accounts of the ETUF's president, Hussein Megawer, and other officials. Already Megawar is alleged to be under investigation by the general prosecutor's office and has been banned from leaving the country.
By 5pm, clashes broke out at the demonstration as workers attempted to break into the premises and a rock throwing battle erupted between protesters and the federation's security personnel. There were reports of injuries when employees inside the building began casting random objects at the protesters from the floors above.
Eventually an army jeep arrived and, after the clashes were quelled, an officer spoke to some of the protesters to discover their demands. It is as yet unclear what the fate of the ETUF will be.