The Ismail cabinet reportedly said independent labor unions may not be legal at its meeting last Thursday, according to Al Mal. The cabinet issued a response to an official inquiry on the topic, saying that it had nullified a decision by the previous Manpower Minister in 2011 sanctioning independent unions. Under the new Labor Unions Act, independent labor unions will not be allowed, read the statement. This comes as security forces reportedly shut down a planned press conference by the independent union of customs workers to object to the arrest of their colleagues, Al Mal reports.

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