Call for solidarity with dockers in Egypt

10/02/2012

http://www.itfglobal.org/solidarity/Egypt-dockers.cfm

The ITF is urging affiliates to show solidarity with workers in the port of Sokhna in Egypt, who started a sit-in protest this week over their employer’s unwillingness to implement an agreement.

The dockers, represented by the Independent Union of Sokhna Port Workers, began their three-day sit-in protest on 9 February; it will be followed by indefinite strike action. The move follows the failure of talks between DP World, which operates the port, the labour ministry and the union over the implementation of a settlement reached in October 2011. The agreement dealt with workers’ concerns regarding pay and promotion processes, compensation for hazardous work and the payment of profit-related bonuses; however, its terms have never been put into practice.

Earlier this week, the ITF called on both Egypt’s prime minister Kamal al-Ganzouri and the chief executive officer of DP World in Sokhna port Captain Rustom Dastoor to help bring about a settlement.

Bilal Malkawi, ITF Arab World office, commented: “The situation in the port has now escalated – the union had no option but to take industrial action after discussions ended without any positive results. The ITF is standing firmly behind the union and is calling on affiliates to do the same.”

Unions are being urged to send a message of solidarity http://www.itfglobal.org/solidarity/Egypt-dockers.cfm/letter/90/

to the union

and a protest letter

http://www.itfglobal.org/solidarity/Egypt-dockers.cfm/letter/89/  

 to the company.