Ismalilia workers on strike

Hundreds of workers of the M.G. company for garments in the free zone of Ismailia protested Thursday after the closure of the factory by the owner of the company. The closure came after a workers' strike demanding higher wages. The workers were shocked this morning by the decision of the management to close the factory and not send the transportation buses to take them to the factory as usual. They started their strike five days ago in protest of the management’s refusal to approve their annual increase of 15 percent and disburse a profit share amongst the workers. The workers said that the management kept stalling on the profit share, similar to other cases in other companies. The company’s management previously added clauses to the contracts which reduced the workers’ rights. They demanded the amendment of the article regarding the attendance allowance of 150 Egyptian pounds as well as the presence of a regulatory role of the workforce over the company and considering the worker’s right to a social allowance.