Sokhna Port Workers Win

After 10 days of strike action and with support from unions around the world, the dockers of Egypt’s port of Sokhna returned to work today after winning concessions from employer Dubai Ports World (DPW).

The 1,200 port workers had struck after calling on DPW to implement an agreement dating from last October to settle pay compensation claims, including an extraordinary efforts allowance.

ITF Arab World representative Bilal Malkawi explained: “The Independent Union of Sokhna Port Workers have won concessions on workforce involvement and profit sharing. I am glad that this tough strike has come to an end with a real victory and a signed agreement.”

He continued: “We are glad to see DPW respond positively to the call to support the negotiations that have now delivered a result that we believe will be good for everyone involved, worker and employer alike. The support received from ITF affiliated unions and its effect on morale was highly praised by the workers.”

Frank Leys, ITF dockers’ section secretary, said: “This has been a great effort by the union members in Sokhna and their friends worldwide. It is also the kind of result the ITF’s global network terminals campaign was set up to achieve. We are and will continue to be in favour of genuine and constructive dialogue with global employers.”