The Committee for Justice (CFJ) issued its monthly bulletin for March and April 2025, as part of its ongoing reports under the “Labor Justice” project, which monitors labor conditions in Egypt. The bulletin documents key political and economic developments during this period and their direct impact on workers’ rights and challenges they face in claiming those rights. It also outlines labor movements that took place during this time, as well as the violations and systematic repression they faced from authorities.
– Economic and Political Situation and Its Impact on the Working Class
During March and April 2025, Egypt witnessed a resurgence of economic pressures, with inflation rising again after a brief decline, reaching 13.1% in March. This came alongside a government decision to increase fuel prices by up to 15%, as part of an announced plan to completely remove subsidies on fuel by the end of the year. At the same time, the Egyptian government received a new tranche of financial aid from the International Monetary Fund worth $1.2 billion, along with approval from the European Parliament to disburse a second installment of a €4 billion loan. However, these financial aids were accompanied by conditions related to further privatization of public sector institutions, which is expected to worsen labor crises and increase job insecurity.
– Labor Law Amendments and Ignoring Workers’ Demands
In the labor context, the Egyptian parliament approved the new Labor Law No. 24 of 2025, after two years of discussions and revisions. The law includes provisions regulating remote work and modifying the responsibilities of the National Wage Council. However, it failed to address core issues concerning worker protections—such as clauses allowing termination of employment contracts without clear safeguards, restrictions on the constitutional right to strike, and the continued exclusion of domestic workers from legal coverage, all of which weaken legal protection mechanisms.
Moreover, the amendments did not include increasing the minimum annual raise or providing real guarantees against arbitrary layoffs—moves that have drawn widespread criticism from trade unions and human rights organizations calling for greater adherence to international labor standards.
– Escalating Labor Protests and Demands for Better Wages
Over the past two months, labor protests have intensified across several sectors, particularly at water and sanitation companies in Alexandria and Qalyubia, at “Belben” sweets factory, and at “Al-Shurbaji” textile factory. Workers demanded the implementation of minimum wage laws, payment of overdue dues, and improvements in working conditions. Some demonstrations included demands for regularization of temporary employment contracts, increased meal allowances, and reinstatement of weekly rest days.
At Al-Shurbaji factory, approximately 500 workers staged a strike demanding better wages and working conditions, while workers at Alexandria’s water company held repeated protests calling for enforcement of court rulings granting them long-overdue raises. These recurring unfulfilled promises from the government have heightened tensions among the workforce.
– Abusive Practices and Escalating Violations Against Workers
A large number of workers faced abusive measures by their employers during this period, including unjustified dismissals, unlawful salary deductions, and forced unpaid labor. Among the most notable cases were those at “Wabreat Samanoud” textile factories, “Ceramica Inova,” and the Turkish-Egyptian garment company “T&C,” where hundreds of workers were laid off or denied their rightful earnings under various pretexts.
Additionally, the National Company for Protected Cultivation faced a security crackdown on striking workers, leading to the arrest and prosecution of some employees on charges of illegal assembly and disrupting production, despite their demands being legally justified. Meanwhile, at Helwan University and Kasr Al-Ainy Hospital, staff members and doctors were suspended or dismissed without investigation or formal justification due to their critical stances or calls for improved working conditions.
– Delayed Financial Aid and Neglecting Informal Workers’ Needs
On the social front, the Ministry of Labor delayed disbursement of the LE1,500 grant for informal workers, which had been scheduled for distribution before Ramadan, sparking frustration among many who rely on this aid to cover essential expenses during the holy month. Despite the ministry’s announcement that payments would be made within the following days, the delay worsened living conditions for this vulnerable group, which urgently needs rapid and sustained support.
These incidents reveal a growing crisis facing Egyptian workers amid mounting economic and social pressures. Ongoing violations, whether through strikes, security crackdowns, or arbitrary dismissals, highlight the urgent need for fundamental reforms—including safeguarding labor rights, improving working conditions, and ensuring compliance with labor market regulations. In the absence of meaningful responses to these demands, the risks of social instability and rising public anger are increasing.