Arab Trade Union Confederation Condemns the Arbitrary Dismissal of 1,000 Workers from “Belban” Restaurant Chain and Urges Immediate Action to Protect Their Rights

Arab Trade Union Confederation Condemns the Arbitrary Dismissal of 1,000 Workers from “Belban” Restaurant Chain and Urges Immediate Action to Protect Their Rights

7 August 2025 –
The Arab Trade Union Confederation expresses its deep concern over media reports that more than 1,000 workers from the popular Egyptian dessert restaurant chain “Belban” have been arbitrarily dismissed without prior notice or clear justification. Reports indicate that workers were also pressured to forgo promotions and denied their basic rights, with terminations communicated solely through the company’s HR department.

The workers have filed official complaints at the Heliopolis Police Department, denouncing the mass dismissals, which affected several branches and came after employees had stood by the company during its most difficult times, particularly during branch closures.

One worker stated: “We have families to feed. Suddenly, we found ourselves on the street — with no warning, no compensation, and no time to reorganize our lives.”

The Arab Trade Union Confederation:
• Strongly condemns these violations of labor rights and human dignity.
• Calls on the Egyptian Ministry of Labour and relevant oversight authorities to urgently investigate the case and hold the company accountable.
• Urges the company to comply with national labor laws and international standards for decent work, and to engage in transparent dialogue with workers’ representatives.
• Expresses full solidarity with the affected workers and reiterates the need to establish representative trade unions within large companies to ensure lasting protection of workers’ rights.

Dignity, job security, and the right to organize are not slogans — they are non-negotiable rights.