Labor Rights | ECESR Wins Compensation for Textile Worker on Late Wages, Vacation Days
ECESR wins case for Abo-El-Sebaa worker, 33 cases still pending
The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR) received a ruling to accept the demands of Hany Ahmed Hamza, a worker, to receive his outstanding salary since Abo-El-Sebaa Weaving Factories stopped operating from 1 August 2012 until today. He will also receive financial compensation for his vacation days and the regular bonus for the same period. The ruling was issued in the case against the legal representative of Abo-El-Sebaa Weaving Factories, located in Al-Mahalla Al-Kobra.
The case is the spearhead of 48 other cases ECESR filed on behalf of Abo-El-Sebaa workers. The number of cases went down to 34 because some workers withdrew their cases to be able to work somewhere else and earn a living.
Background
Abo-El-Sebaa Weaving Factories is one of the biggest producers and exporters of cotton textiles in Al-Mahalla over the last 30 years. Workers were surprised when the factory closed in 2011 for a few months, and then opened only to close again on 1 August 2011. The factory management gave workers unpaid open leave until today because the factory remains closed.
The factory employed about 600 skilled workers, and paid salaries that were among the highest in Al-Mahalla Al-Kobra. The factory stopped operating 32 months ago without paying workers their accruals or compensations.
Workers’ rights
According to the Egyptian labor law, the factory is not operating rather than closed. The law requires certain procedures for partial or full closure, and these procedures were not followed. The factory gave workers mandatory open leaves, willfully squandering their rights and preventing the course of justice.
The factory also insures workers with nominal wages that are much less than their gross salaries, a prevalent illegal tradition. Even the National Social Insurance Authority (NSIA) turned away from the workers and refused granting them papers related to their employment at the factory. Notably, the factory owner is the owner and landlord of the NSIA building.
Lagging litigation also contributes to wasting workers’ rights. ECESR appreciates the ruling, but there are 33 other cases currently at expert offices while workers can barely provide for themselves and their families. On the other hand, the factory owner who squanders workers’ rights goes unpunished.
