The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has documented a decision by the management of the Egyptian Sugar and Integrated Industries Company to arbitrarily transfer six workers from Edfo and Kom Ombo sugar factories to the company’s plant in Hawamdia. Workers described the move as a disciplinary measure in retaliation for their participation in labor protests held in September.
According to CFJ, during these protests, workers demanded the implementation of the minimum wage, the inclusion of deferred allowances since 2016, and an end to deductions for health insurance subscriptions amounting to around EGP 1,000 per month, while they had not received any of the three bonuses announced by the President for workers.
The protests ended after the company issued a circular on September 2 granting EGP 500 per worker as part of the monthly incentive, which amounted to only EGP 320 after tax deductions. However, the company failed to fulfill the remaining demands announced during the protests, despite work returning to normal.
CFJ expressed solidarity with the workers at Edfo and Kom Ombo sugar factories, stressing their right to freedom of expression and to raise their demands without facing retaliatory or arbitrary actions.
The committee also emphasized the importance of transparency in addressing workers’ demands, particularly amid the challenging economic conditions they are experiencing.