whereas independent political parties, labour unions and human rights organisations are banned in Vietnam, with official approval needed for public gatherings; whereas some peaceful protests have been heavily policed, with high-profile activists kept under house arrest, while other demonstrations were broken up or prohibited outright from taking place.

G. whereas independent trade unions have a crucial role to play in the field of labour relations in this critical period of political, economic and social transition in Egypt; whereas the functioning and activities of trade unions in the country is still regulated by Law 35/1976; whereas Article 53 of the new constitution allows only one trade union per profession; whereas the Penal Code and other laws impose further restrictions on labour rights; whereas the lack of an explicit legal basis for the establishment of independent trade unions in Egypt – and, therefore, of any legal protection for such unions – means that their leaders and members are often ...[+++]fired, harassed or intimidated by employers; whereas this situation is contributing in a significant way to the current crisis of industrial relations in the country, to the benefit of none of the social partners;

K. whereas independent trade unions have a crucial role to play in the field of labour relations in this critical period of political, economic and social transition in Egypt; whereas there are regular reports of cases of restrictions on the right of workers to establish independent unions and of reprisals and acts of intimidation against those attempting to organise and to strike; whereas the failure of employers to recognise or negotiate with independent unions is a source of considerable social tension;

7. Calls on the Egyptian government to put an immediate end to all forms of repression, discrimination and harassment against independent trade unions in the country; calls for the limitation, set out in Article 53 of the new constitution, of one trade union per profession to be abolished and for the full compliance of Egyptian labour and trade union legislation with relevant ILO conventions to be ensured; calls also for the adoption, with genuine participation of trade unions, of a new law on trade unions in Egypt that guarantees that they can function and operate without government interference;

Andrzej Adamczyk, Independent Self Governing Trade Union Solidarity Marian Krzaklewski, Independent Self Governing Trade Union Solidarity Katarzyna Sobon, Independent Self Governing Trade Union Solidarity Stanislaw Rozycki, All Poland Alliance of Trade Unions Tomasz Jasinski, All Poland Alliance of Trade Unions Edmund Szynaka, Trade Unions Forum

The independent experts’ report states that many parties, not only trade unions, consider labour inspection systems to be inadequate and barely qualified to oversee the health and safety of fishermen.