Strikes Sweep Egypt As Economy Struggles
The Egyptian government, sworn in on Saturday, takes office as a fresh wave of labour unrest sweeps the country, adding to the turmoil from a chaotic and violent political transition.
In a televised address on Sunday, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb said he called on the “patriotism” of Egyptians and that this was the moment for work, not strikes. A crippling stoppage by bus drivers last week has just ended but postal workers in many parts of the country remain on strike. Doctors, pharmacists, steel and textile workers have all carried out industrial actions in recent days.
The strike by about 38,000 public bus drivers forced authorities to use the army and the private sector to provide alternative services. The drivers finally agreed to a $30 increase, but their monthly pay remains below the new minimum wage of $170.
“They promised us a minimum wage and now they say it doesn’t apply to our company,” said Reda Abdel Kerim, a driver, before the wage deal was agreed. “Shops have already put up prices when the government said it would increase salaries. The government tricked us.”
The labour unrest is taking place against the backdrop of a faltering economy scarred by three years of political upheaval. It underlines the challenges facing any new administration in Egypt following elections expected in the next few months, whether headed by Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the defence minister widely expected to become president, or by someone else.
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