The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has documented a slowdown strike by bill collectors at the National Gas Company (NatGas) in Damanhour, Beheira Governorate, protesting their work under subcontracting agreements and wages falling below the minimum wage threshold.
According to CFJ, the collectors had staged a protest outside the company’s headquarters days earlier, which ended after intervention by Damanhour police and National Security, who demanded the removal of protest photos from social media. This led workers to adopt a slowdown strike, limiting daily bill collection to a fraction of the target.
Workers explained that their previous contracts were with various intermediary companies—starting with “Al-Aqaria,” then “Al-Shabakat,” and most recently “Global”—without receiving copies of the new agreements. They expressed concern after NatGas management informed them that their contracts had expired and would not be renewed until next year.
CFJ reported that the average basic salary for a collector is around EGP 1,300 per month, with variable pay tied to a monthly target of 3,200 bills. After deductions by intermediary companies, the final wage remains significantly below the minimum wage, which is the primary reason for their ongoing protests.
CFJ expressed full solidarity with NatGas workers in Damanhour, stressing the importance of addressing their demands and ensuring their legitimate rights, particularly those related to fair wages and direct employment. The committee reaffirmed the need to protect workers’ rights, uphold their dignity, and guarantee compliance with labor standards.
