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Edko Fishermen Form a Union to Protect their right in Participation

In 15-16/2/2006, the LCHR has held a training session in Edko city – Behira governorate. 40 fishermen have attended this meeting, in addition to members of the fishermen syndicate committee in Edko, a number of local leaderships and some members of the fishermen association.
At the first day, the meeting was about the problems that fishermen face while they are fishing in the lake, like pollution from natural, drainage and industrial wastes, and migration of many types of fish. In addition to discussing the insurance problem that fishermen pay to the fishermen association and the pensions that they do not receive. In the second day, fishermen have discussed their problems with the fishery wealth corporation that makes compliments to fishery farm owners and disregards their violations. Thy have also discussed the missing role of the water surface police that has nothing to do but chase and imprison them and confiscate their boats, while a the same time it disregards the violations of the fish farm owners. The fishermen have also discussed the problems that they face when they nominate themselves for the membership of the fishermen association. The meeting has also discussed how could fishermen make use of the law and international mechanisms to improve their conditions and right in participation.
At the end of the meeting, fishermen have agreed to form a union that works on solving the problems of Edko fishermen in cooperation with the LCHR and the syndicate committee.