Update | Al-Obour Prosecution Appeals Bail Decision for “T&C” Workers Following Their Strike
On Tuesday, January 28, 2024, the opposition judge at the Khanka Misdemeanor Court ruled to grant bail to nine workers from the Egyptian-Turkish Textile Company “T&C,” setting the bail amount at 2,000 EGP per individual, in connection with case No. 264 of 2025, Administrative First Al-Obour. These workers had been detained since the previous Saturday following a complaint filed by the factory management. In response, Al-Obour Prosecution filed an appeal against the court’s ruling.
The company had submitted a formal complaint to Al-Obour Prosecution, accusing several workers of willfully disrupting production and participating in an unlawful strike. Consequently, the prosecution issued arrest warrants for the workers, accusing them of deliberate obstruction of production, incitement to strike, and disturbing the public peace. The prosecution had initially ordered their detention for four days pending further investigation.
The workers granted bail include: (Mohamed Amara Ahmed Salem, Abdelrahman Mustafa Sayed, Ahmed Hassan Abdel Aziz, Mohamed Nabil Salem Mohamed, Ibrahim Raafat Sayed, Mohamed Mahmoud Abdel Wahab, Islam Galal Khaled, Mohamed Nasser Abdelrahman, Mohamed Ahmed Abdel Salam).
The workers began their strike on January 16, 2025, demanding improved financial conditions as the company management continued to resist their legitimate financial demands. Several workers reported being threatened with dismissal and police intervention if the strike persisted, according to worker representatives.
The striking workers are demanding the implementation of the government-mandated minimum wage, which is set at 6,000 EGP, along with the statutory annual wage increase. They further insist that the wage increase be applied progressively, based on years of service, the cessation of salary deductions exceeding 20%, a salary increase of no less than 50%, and the provision of adequate transportation without any deduction from their wages. The company currently deducts approximately 1,000 EGP per month for transportation costs.
Other demands include an increase in the value of the monthly meal allowance, which is currently set at 23 EGP per month, with the condition that it be provided year-round. This demand stems from the company’s practice of suspending the meal allowance during Ramadan despite extended working hours. Additionally, workers are calling for improvements in the conditions of the laundry facility, which operates on two 12-hour shifts.
Representatives of the workers informed the “Egyptian Center” that they continue to face threats from department managers regarding potential dismissal if they do not return to work unconditionally. Additionally, several representatives of the company have threatened to call law enforcement to arrest the workers, leveraging the significant security presence around the company.
The workers’ representatives further revealed that the management had leaked information through various managers and supervisors about a decision to deduct 10 days from the workers’ monthly salary and annual leave balance in exchange for a proposed 20% annual raise. However, this proposed increase remains unverified and does not meet the workers’ demands.
Additionally, the workers disclosed that the company has not yet disbursed the incentive payment for the previous month, in what they view as an attempt to pressure them into ending the strike. Meanwhile, the company continues to refuse the statutory 7% annual wage increase, as mandated by current labor laws.
The company’s negotiators, including Members of Parliament Amr Darwish and Solafa Darwish, as well as four representatives from the Ministry of Manpower and the Labor Union in Qalyubia Governorate, held a meeting with 10 worker representatives. During the meeting, the company proposed a salary increase of 1,000 EGP per month, which would be allocated as follows: 700 EGP as a base salary increase, 200 EGP as an increase in the meal allowance, and 100 EGP as an increase in the incentive.
Despite this proposal, negotiators clarified that the offer was not final and was subject to further approval by the company’s management. This lack of confirmation led to worker dissatisfaction, with the workers rejecting the offer and insisting on their original demands: a 50% increase in base salary, along with the full implementation of the government-mandated minimum wage, which has not been fully reflected in the company’s wage structure.
As the workers maintain their position, negotiators have suggested that the company may proceed with dismissing them and closing the factory, given the company’s refusal to engage in direct negotiations with the workers’ representatives. In response, the workers have urged relevant governmental authorities to intervene and ensure their protection.
