The Committee for Justice (CFJ) documented that workers at El-Shamadan Food Industries in the Dekheila area of Alexandria organize a protest against low wages, tougher working conditions, and the company’s failure to comply with labor law.
According to CFJ, workers earn basic salaries ranging from 2,500 to 3,500 Egyptian pounds — the highest wage in the company — in exchange for 12-hour shifts under harsh conditions.
Workers state that the company maintains these conditions by coercing them into signing undated resignation letters when renewing their annual temporary contracts.
CFJ adds that during the protest, security forces intervened and pressed the company to respond to the workers’ fair demands. Although the company initially promised to do so, it later reneged, retaliated against workers, and threatened them with dismissal.
CFJ affirms its solidarity with the workers of El-Shamadan, stressing their right to fair demands, especially given the harsh economic conditions they face.
CFJ also calls on the relevant authorities and Egypt’s Ministry of Manpower to intervene urgently to resolve the crisis, address the workers’ wage demands, and fulfill their legitimate rights, while emphasizing the need to protect workers’ rights and preserve their dignity.