Workers at “Al-Raya Market” in Al-Obour have suspended their strike, which began on Saturday, February 3, after reaching an agreement with the company’s management to meet their demands within ten days.
The workers had organized the strike in protest against low wages and to demand the implementation of the minimum wage, as most of them earn only around 4,000 EGP per month. They also called for a 45% increase in annual salary raises to keep up with rising costs, as the company had only approved a 20% increase starting in January, which workers deemed insufficient.
As part of their demands, workers also called for improved working conditions, including access to clean and adequate facilities, particularly restrooms, which suffer from poor sanitation. They also demanded a steady water supply, as frequent water outages have been a recurring issue. Additionally, workers requested the introduction of incentives to boost performance and an end to inappropriate treatment by some management officials.
In response, the company’s management attempted to break the strike by bringing in workers from other branches and hiring temporary workers for 300 EGP per day to work in the warehouse. This move further fueled workers’ anger and strengthened their resolve to continue the strike, which ultimately led to negotiations and the decision to suspend the strike in exchange for fulfilling their demands within ten days.
The Committee for Justice (CFJ) welcomes the agreement between workers and management and urges both parties to adhere to its terms. The committee also calls on the Egyptian Ministry of Manpower to act as a guarantor of the agreement, oversee its implementation, intervene to safeguard workers’ financial and moral rights, and monitor the enforcement of the minimum wage law within the company.
