The Egyptian Centre for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR) reported that at least 26 labour protests took place during the first half of the month. The ECESR released a report on Wednesday chronologically detailing different forms of labour protests that took place between 1 and 13 January. The different types of protests ECESR reported included eight demonstrations, nine strikes and seven sit-ins. At least eight of the 26 protests were organised in relation to the doctors' strike, which started on 1 January. Last Friday, the Doctors' Syndicate agreed to hold a partial strike twice a week starting February to push for reforms within the healthcare sector, with a plan to strike three days a week in March. Should the partial strike remain fruitless, the doctors intend to prolong their strike to an open-ended one after March. The syndicate already carried out partial strikes on 1 and 8 January, during which the level of participation was at least 75%, according to syndicate figures. Doctors have been trying to push for the ratification of the draft Staff Law, which would organise financial, technical and administrative matters such as training, promotions and working hours for all professionals in the public healthcare sector. Doctors have also demanded an improvement in security conditions in hospitals, by lobbying for a law that enforces harsher penalties on anyone who commits an act of aggression against doctors or hospitals, and an increase in the state budget for health. During the year of 2013, ECESR reported that Egyptian workers held 2,486 protests, 2,243 of which took place during the reign of ousted former President Mohamed Morsi. A total of 243 protests were held under the military-installed interim government.
