Our colleagues in Djibouti need our assistance in a protest to the Government about the dismissal of Mr Hassan Cher Hared, who was the International Secretary and acting President of the UDT and General Secretary of the Djibouti Postal Workers Union.

Brother Hassan was accused of professional misconduct, absenteeism and insubordination. Whilst the truth of the matter is that the company is trying to get rid of a trade union official. Brother Hassan was dismissed after a period of 8 days suspension by the Director General of La Poste.

UNI has sent a letter to the President of Djibouti and it would be appreciated if UNI Postal affiliates could support the unions struggle to have Brother Hassan reinstated by sending a similar letter to the President with copies to the Minister of Communications and Director General of La Poste.

The fax numbers are as follows:-
President of Djibouti - Monsieur Ismael Omar Guelleh - Fax +253 35 50 49 or +253 35 01 74

CC to:
Minister of Culture and Communications - Monsieur Ali Abdi Farah Fax + 253 35 39 57
Director General of La Poste Djibouti - Monsieur Hilliyeh Hassan Guirreh Fax + 253 35 78 78

Thank you for your support and solidarity.

The letter sent by UNI is reproduced below:-

His Excellency
The President of the Republic
of Djibouti
Ismael Omar GUELLEH

Fax: + 253 355 049

Nyon, 8 August 2005


N/réf. : CDM/sol-post/djibouti/pj


Mr President,

Dismissal Of Mr Hassan Cher Hared

Union Network International (UNI) is a global union representing more than 15 million members in 900 trade unions and 150 countries across the entire world.

UNI has learned that brother Hassan Cher Hared, Secretary for International Relations, acting President of UDT, and also Secretary General of the Djibouti Postal Workers Union, was dismissed by the Director General of La Poste. He is accused of serious professional misconduct, absenteeism and insubordination. He was dismissed just after he had been suspended for a period of 8 days.

The statement that we received makes it clear that the reasons for his suspension and dismissal are not based on any substantiated grounds, but reflect a ferocious determination to get rid of a trade union officer who was acting within the context of his duties and prerogatives. We have also learned that UDT has decided to lodge an official complaint with the ILO (International Labour Office).

We therefore ask you, Mr President, to use all your influence to urge the Djibouti government to declare this premeditated sanction null and void.

In the hope that the case of our brother and his union will be settled promptly and equitably.

Yours faithfully


Philip Jennings
General Secretary

Source: UNI, Aug 09, 2005