The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has documented the arbitrary dismissal of Mahmoud Yousef Othman, a factory worker and union activist at Saba Global Ready-Made Garments Company, by the company’s management on May 15, 2025. The dismissal came as a result of his participation in a legitimate labor movement alongside fellow workers to demand the enforcement of the Supreme Council of Minimum Wages’ decision to raise the minimum wage to EGP 7,000 and to reject the company’s unjust and inequitable implementation policies.
Workers were surprised upon receiving their salaries on April 30, 2025, that the company continued to calculate overtime hours based on the old rate of EGP 17 per hour, despite the new minimum wage policy setting the rate at EGP 33 per hour. Despite this, insurance and tax deductions were applied based on the new higher rate (EGP 33) without workers actually receiving the difference — leading to a clear drop in net monthly income.
Furthermore, the application of the policy was discriminatory: some departments such as (washing, spraying, and sanding) received the new rate, while others remained under the old system.
Following a formal complaint submitted by workers, the Egyptian Ministry of Labor intervened and confirmed clear violations by the company’s management, issuing an official report documenting these breaches.
Instead of correcting its practices and complying with the law, the company opened an investigation against union activist Mahmoud Yousef Othman and accused him of baseless charges including disrupting work and inciting workers to strike — allegations that have no foundation in fact.
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Mahmoud was prevented from entering the factory premises, prompting him to file an official documentation report (“Case No. 4 Situations”) which he submitted to the Ministry of Labor as a legal step to document the incident.
The CFJ condemns the arbitrary dismissal of union activist Mahmoud Yousef Othman, viewing it as a blatant violation of basic labor rights and an unacceptable attack on trade union freedoms. The committee calls on Saba Global Management to immediately revoke the dismissal decision and reinstate Mahmoud Yousef to his job without conditions, affirming that his union activities are legitimate rights protected under the Egyptian Constitution and international labor laws.
While welcoming the positive intervention of the Ministry of Labor, which led to the documentation of the company’s violations, the CFJ urges the ministry to continue closely following up on the case and exert pressure on the factory management to end all forms of discrimination and injustice against workers, ensure the reinstatement of the dismissed employee, and guarantee fair implementation of minimum wage decisions in a way that preserves workers’ dignity and promotes social justice.
