Press release
Geneva – April 7, 2024
Yusri Maarouf, a former Egyptian parliamentarian and head of the wages department at Alexandria Container and Cargo Handling Company, has initiated a lawsuit against the company’s trade union committee, affiliated with the Egyptian Workers Union, alleging violations of workers’ rights contrary to Egyptian laws and the constitution.
The lawsuit, brought forth by Yusri Maarouf, raises severe accusations against the trade union committee of Alexandria Container and Cargo Handling Company. Firstly, it asserts that the committee failed to convene a general assembly of workers since June 2022, a clear violation of Trade Unions Law 213, Article 30 of 2017, which mandates annual assemblies.
Furthermore, Maarouf alleges that the union committee increased union subscriptions without prior worker consent, coercing workers to comply with trade union laws. Additionally, he claims that the committee did not present the union’s budgets, financial records, and reports to the general assembly for review and approval, undermining transparency and accountability.
The lawsuit also highlights the retaliatory actions taken against Maarouf by the company’s management, including wage deductions and the denial of a bonus in December, purportedly due to a social media post deemed to contravene company directives.
In response to these allegations, the Committee for Justice (CFJ) has expressed solidarity with Yusri Maarouf and emphasized the importance of upholding workers’ rights at Alexandria Container and Cargo Handling Company. The CFJ calls for strict adherence to regulatory frameworks governing union committees to prevent further violations of workers’ rights.
The CFJ also condemns what it describes as arbitrary measures by the company’s management against Maarouf for expressing his opinions, urging an immediate cessation of such actions and a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable under the law.
