The Committee for Justice (CFJ) documents a strike by nearly 6,000 workers at sugar company factories in Edfu and Kom Ombo in Aswan, Armant in Luxor, and Deshna in Qena. The workers demand higher wages and payment of allowances that have been overdue since 2017.
According to CFJ, around 3,200 workers at the sugar factories in Edfu and Kom Ombo began their strike about ten days ago. Yesterday and today, they were joined by their colleagues from the Armant and Deshna factories.
The workers’ demands include wage increases, payment of overdue allowances since 2017, an increase in cash and meal allowances, and the payment of a special bonus recently approved by the president.
They also protest the deduction of at least 700 Egyptian pounds (EGP) from their salaries— which average only 5,200 EGP (107$)— as contributions to the comprehensive health insurance system introduced in Aswan Governorate at the start of last month. In addition, they demand the establishment of a hospital inside the factory.
CFJ reports that work has completely stopped at all four factories since the start of the strike. This period is normally dedicated to maintenance of production lines, carried out by workers from May until early January, in preparation for the sugarcane supply season.
CFJ affirms its full solidarity with the sugar company workers in Aswan, Qena, and Luxor, stresses the importance of addressing and reviewing their demands, and calls for a safe working environment, especially given the difficult economic conditions facing workers.