Trade unions in Egypt are facing difficulties to conduct their work due to the erosion of democratic spaces and platforms, violence and threats against them, and increasing precarious work in the labour market. Nevertheless, the Egyptian affiliates have geared up to defend workers’ rights and freedoms while improving working conditions for all workers and advancing decent work, social protection, good governance and quality public services.

PSI affiliates have taken part in drafting different position papers and NEP with the government and the ILO. Moreover, Dr. Sherif Masry, President of BASU, was selected as a member of the newly founded Supreme Council for Social Dialogue. The selection followed the BASU’s active output in position papers, and proposals related to workers and the world of work, especially with regard to union freedoms, gender issues, climate change, and drafting the Egyptian NEP. The Council is currently discussing the proposed draft of the new labor law.

 As far as social dialog is concerned, RETA & BASU participated in a tripartite dialog in a workshop on “Labor Standards and Good International Practices in Labor Management,” which was organized by the ILO in cooperation with the IFC where they accentuate the importance of social justice and decent work particularly when considering foreign investments.

Several meetings and workshops were held on GBV and climate change. The affiliates have networked with NGOs to campaign for ratifying C190 and providing women with better working conditions. Furthermore, a draft on the impact of climate change on the public health sector in Egypt has been circulated among the affiliates to receive their feedback and the final version is expected to be launched by next November.

Furthermore, two workshops on Building Trade Unions Leaders’ Capacities were held, the first to increase and the other on Freedom of Association and Right to Organize.  Their most important outcomes were setting a plan for each affiliate to increase membership (5-10%) for 2024. It was also agreed to review the internal regulations of each union to amend and update them according to the new changes taking place on work patterns (digitization, climate change, etc.) and manage and monitor union financial matters. 

The initial outcome has been promising as the affiliates succeeded to increase membership by a rate of 5 -10%. This is due to setting a membership increasing plan. Moreover, three of the affiliates did not have women committees and women involvement in union structures and activities were less than the male members. Thus, a workshop was held for female members only to identify the obstacles preventing them from participation. Consequently, a non-official committee for women from all the affiliates was established to meet monthly and share experiences on how to obtain better working conditions and activate their committees.

The impact of climate change on the public health sector has been the focus of the Egyptian affiliates. With a study drafted to highlight the main challenges and threats of the current situation, the representatives from the affiliates convened for two days in an intensive workshop with the authors to give their feedback and recommendations. The final version is expected to be launched soon in an interactive event with concerned local NGOs.

Social dialog as a guarantee for the sustainability of trade unions was the subject of a seminar held with labor expert and NGOs representatives to discuss the main challenges and opportunities of tripartite dialog to sustain trade unions in their fight for labor rights. Luis Monje from the PSI’s headquarters took part in the meeting where he emphasized the significance of social dialog for the future of trade unionism, as it is one of the main mechanisms for their survival and adaption to the global changes and new employment relations and patterns.