Press release
Geneva – April 29, 2024
The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has condemned recent interventions by security forces against employees of the Giza Drinking Water and Sanitation Company, who staged a protest demanding changes to their employment contracts.
On Tuesday, April 23, employees and meter readers under a commission-based system gathered near the company’s headquarters in Warraq, urging the transition from commission-based contracts to fixed contracts that guarantee a stable salary.
This demonstration follows similar actions by colleagues in Benha, Qalyubia Governorate, and workers from the Aswan and Sohag Water Company, highlighting broader discontent within the water sector.
In response, the National Security Agency in Giza reportedly summoned ten employees on Thursday and Friday, April 25 and 26, allegedly pressuring and threatening them to prevent a scheduled protest on April 27.
During these encounters, officers questioned employees about their participation in the protests, specifically targeting the “Commission Collectors in Giza” page on social media, which they claimed incited unrest.
CFJ has firmly opposed this coercive approach, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue with employees instead of intimidation tactics. They advocate for a fair and conducive working environment that acknowledges the economic challenges facing workers nationwide.
CFJ’s stance underscores the need for respectful engagement between authorities and employees, addressing legitimate grievances within the framework of labor rights and civil discourse.
