In light of Labor Day, Human Rights Watch released an article calling on the Egyptian government to “legalize independent trade unions” and “end the decades-old single official union system and allow free and fair elections to union boards,” the article stated. “Egypt’s government is ignoring the basic right of workers to organize independently,” said Nadim Houry, deputy Middle East and North Africa director. “The government seems intent on stifling the freedom Egypt’s labor movement only gained after years of struggle that culminated in the 2011 uprising.”