The Center for Trade Union and Workers Services has called on the Minister of Manpower, Mohamed Shehata, to intervene to solve the crisis of the Beshai Steel Factory workers and “take the necessary measures to urge the administration to negotiate with the workers.”
The rights group said that the workers, who suffer from stifling economic conditions, submitted their grievances to the company’s management, but the latter did not respond positively. The management decided to suspend striking workers, which a labour source described as arbitrary. The source said that the management accused workers of inciting strikes, disrupting work and sabotaging the factory. One of the workers had committed suicide because of his living conditions, which accelerated the strike.
The 3,500 workers announced the suspension of negotiations with the factory’s management in response to what they described as the board’s procrastination in responding to their demands. Their demands included increased wages, hazard pay, housing allowance, transportation allowance, and the approval of the annual growth. They also asked for improved contract terms for new workers.
The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights announced its solidarity with the workers, demanding they be empowered with all their rights. Also, the Center for Trade Union and Workers Services announced its solidarity with the workers and started a campaign to support their rights. Workers said that the Ministry of Manpower failed to take a severe stand to support their rights.
