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While suffering economic crisis Workers with no rights... without labour unions
Land Centre had received complains from tens of workers of the united bank. In their complains, workers say they started working in the bank after concluding many contracts with different dates, positions and wages. They dedicated their lives for their work, exerting efforts for tens of years. But, for sorrow, their situations have turned bad after changes took place on the main sectors of the bank. Banks have fired part of them, and forced others to accept early retirement although they did not complete the work time that qualifies them to be granted social insurance. Cases against the bank has reached more than 300 labor cases, in disputes related to labour demands and rights.
The centre assures that releasing workers is considered void, violating article 68 of unified labour statute no. 12, 2003, as the releasing quarter lacks jurisdiction.
Article 68 states that: " The quarter that has jurisdiction to fire workers from service is the labor court, mentioned in article 71 of this statute, and the rest of disciplinary acts to be passed by employer or his authorized representative".
On other aspect, workers complains and protests assure that there are many infringements and violations against their rights committed by the aforementioned bank are mainly the following:
-Bank did not pay social allowances since 1987, also it did not exchange labours grants since 1980 till now.
-Threatening workers with displacement and release from factories, and non-protection from risks of arbitrary dismissal and movement. Moreover, the general union ignored to protect the rights of workers and taking legal action aligned to the rights of workers against arbitrary action. The worst thing was union bias to the administration of the bank than the rights of workers sometimes.
-Forcing workers to break the rules of compulsory early retirement, also some workers are harmed because of the currently applied retirement system, especially, those, who worked for number of hours less than required to be granted early retirement.
-Careless and negative attitude of government agencies towards bank violations; government agencies rejected obliging the board of Islamic bank, merged in the united bank, to pay private social raises since 1987, also, refusing to pay labors grant since 1980, and till now.
-Absence of decree regulating the public policy and penalties to be passed against employees of the international Islamic bank, merged in united bank, which violates article 58 of labor law no.12 for year 2003, despite ministry of labor force did edit a report no. 2460, year 2006, in Dokki misdemeanor police station, due to the absence of public policy and penalties decrees, which still takes place till this moment.
- The failure to achieve equality among all employees in the three merged banks, International Islamic bank; Nile bank; The Egyptian bank; all united to form the united bank, especially regarding to salaries, rewards and incentives, in violation to article 35 of labor act, article 40 of the Egyptian constitution, and international agreements that prohibits distinguishing in labors and salaries.
-General association of banks employees adopted the waiver of employees' rights by association committee recorded in 8/9/2007 without negotiations with employees and workers themselves; the owners of the rights, in violation to international agreements and articles 5, 153, 154, 157 of labor act no. 12 for year 2003.
The centre believes that arbitrary measurements taking place against employees and workers are considered a violation of their rights of reputable job opportunities, which was adopted by provisions of laws, constitution, international protocols, and agreements of international labor organizations. It also proves the arbitrary behavior of administrations, and business men committed against employees and workers rights, especially during the recent economic crisis, in which citizen suffers worsening their incomes and situations.
While the Centre complains to the Minister of labor force and Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Workers on behalf of the united bank workers, it urges them to start working on achieving their demands and ensure their right to form independent union organization in the interest of their rights to decent work and freedom of association.
For more information, please contact the Center