The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has reported that workers at the “Belaban” confectionery factory in Egypt have launched a strike in protest over the company’s failure to pay overtime wages for the hours worked during the holy month of Ramadan, which reached up to 12 hours per day.
According to workers’ testimonies, the company exploited the fasting period to impose long working hours without providing adequate Iftar meals. Instead of paying the owed overtime, management attempted to justify non-payment by claiming that the meals served were a substitute for financial compensation.
One worker told the media, “We worked 12 hours a day while fasting, and in the end, they told us the meal was our overtime pay.” He added, “When we went on strike and halted production, they promised to pay us, but each worker received only between 300 to 500 Egyptian pounds—barely a quarter of what we’re owed.”
The workers noted that many of them rely on these payments to meet family and financial obligations, especially with the rising cost of living. They criticized the difficult working conditions during the sacred month of Ramadan.
It is worth noting that “Belaban” has been facing a consumer boycott campaign for some time, along with the closure of several of its branches in Saudi Arabia due to food safety concerns. Workers are now demanding full and fair payment of their dues, as well as improved working conditions—especially during difficult periods like fasting days.
The CFJ expresses full solidarity with the legitimate demands of the “Belaban” workers, stressing that their rights to receive overtime compensation are non-negotiable and should not be delayed. The committee calls on company management to engage constructively with the workers’ demands and negotiate directly with their representatives to find an urgent and fair solution that ensures full rights without compromise.
The CFJ also urges Egypt’s Ministry of Manpower to intervene promptly to review the workers’ conditions and ensure that the company complies with labor laws and regulations regarding working hours and wages—especially under the current economic hardships faced by workers.
