The “Committee for Justice” (CFJ) has reported that the Tenth of Ramadan Prosecution in Egypt’s Sharqia Governorate released 10 workers from “Al-Amir Ceramics” on the evening of Sunday, February 16, without any financial guarantees, following the end of their strike.
Security forces had arrested the workers on Thursday, February 13, after the company’s lawyer filed a complaint, numbered 644 Administrative, accusing them of “inciting a strike, vandalism, and disrupting production.”
According to one of the company’s employees, the management bargained with the workers, agreeing to release those arrested in exchange for ending the strike and implementing the recommendations of the Manpower Committee regarding salary increases.
Approximately 3,500 workers at “Al-Amir Ceramics” factories began striking on February 7, demanding salary increases to meet the minimum wage while considering seniority, in addition to higher allowances. The workers filed a complaint with the labor office outlining their demands. Subsequently, a labor committee visited the company and negotiated with management, resulting in an agreement to grant all workers an 850 EGP increase and raise the lowest wages to 5,000 EGP. However, the workers continued to demand the implementation of the official minimum wage of 7,000 EGP.
CFJ rejects the security measures taken against the striking workers, describing the arrest of 10 workers as “arbitrary actions.” The committee calls on the company’s management to halt these measures and engage in serious negotiations with the workers to reach solutions that preserve the rights of both parties.
Additionally, CFJ urges Egypt’s Ministry of Manpower to intervene and enforce the country’s labor laws regarding the minimum wage, ensuring workers’ rights are protected rather than siding with business owners.
