The “Committee for Justice” (CFJ) has monitored the strike of workers at the Egyptian-Italian Ceramic and Porcelain Company “Verdi” in Ain Sokhna on February 17. The strike was in protest against the failure to implement the previous minimum wage of 6,000 EGP and to demand the payment of overdue allowances, while also considering years of experience in salary determination.
The strike followed the company’s decision to grant an annual salary increase of only 300 to 500 EGP, which angered workers, especially since their average salaries were around 5,000 EGP, with some earning less than 4,000 EGP after deductions and withholdings.
The next day, workers ended their strike after negotiations with management, which pledged to restructure wages and pay overdue allowances, including shift allowances, transportation allowances, and work nature allowances, following the intervention of police representatives.
This coincides with the National Wages Council’s decision to raise the minimum wage for private-sector workers to 7,000 EGP starting in March 2024, with the Minister of Labor affirming that companies failing to comply with the decision will be held accountable.
CFJ appreciates the swift response of the company’s management to the workers’ demands. At the same time, the committee calls for an end to security interventions to terminate labor strikes and urges the Egyptian Ministry of Manpower to fulfill its role in defending workers’ rights and enforcing the minimum wage law.