(picture by Hossam el-Hamalawy: Transport workers protest outside the trial of their union president, Ali Fattouh)

More than 30 independent unions and human rights organisations called on Egypt’s government to amend the draft bill on trade union freedoms and to ensure that its provisions quickly become law.

A statement issued by trade unionists meeting at a workshop organised by the Egyptian Centre for Economic and Social Rights called on the government to change provisions in the draft law which will restrict union organising, but broadly welcomed the proposed legislation.

More details, including a list of the unions and human rights organisations signing the statement are available on the ECESR website here.