The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has documented an open-ended sit-in by journalists at Al-Bawaba News inside the newspaper’s headquarters for about a week, in protest against the failure to implement the minimum wage and the deterioration of working conditions.
According to CFJ, the journalists submitted an official memorandum to the Press Syndicate on November 4, 2025, requesting intervention to enforce the minimum wage in accordance with the new labor law. They also issued several statements affirming their legal right to restructure salaries within the institution and apply the minimum wage.
The crisis has entered a negotiation phase between the syndicate and the newspaper’s management. Abdel Rahim Ali, Chairman of the Board and Editor-in-Chief, stated that he had no solutions given the worsening financial situation of press institutions in recent years, which he described as a heavy burden. Nevertheless, the journalists have continued their sit-in and insist on their demands.
Journalists emphasized that the crisis extends beyond wages to include the absence of a proper working environment within the institution. They pointed out that the headquarters lacks basic requirements for journalistic work, and that they operate without health coverage or social insurance, in addition to the absence of job grades, promotions, and benefits mandated by labor law, such as incentives or bonuses. These conditions, they said, exacerbate their hardships and make it increasingly difficult to carry out their duties.
CFJ expressed solidarity with the journalists at Al-Bawaba News, stressing their right to have the minimum wage applied in line with the law. The committee also highlighted the importance of transparency in addressing the demands of the striking journalists, particularly regarding wage implementation, amid the challenging economic conditions they face.