A group of independent labor unions announced their rejection of the Labor Unions Act currently being discussed by parliament, Al Shorouk reports. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, General Coordinator of the Center for Trade Unions Kamal Abbas said the legislation is both unconstitutional and in violation of Egypt’s agreement with the International Labor Organization (ILO) that guarantees the freedom of labor unions in the country. Abbas also pointed out that the bill has drawn criticism from the ILO. Former MP Mohamed Anwar Sadat said that issuing the law in its current form would significantly restrict the activity of labor unions and civil society organizations, and would also have a negative impact on investments. The Egyptian Federation of Independent Trade Unions is expected to meet with an ILO delegation visiting Cairo today to discuss the bill, Al Mal reports. The government had made it clear that it considers independent trade unions to be unconstitutional and it plans to do away with them.

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