Lecico workers end 9-day strike at Alexandria plants

Industrial operations are returning to normal after workers suspend their peaceful demonstrations, says the top Egyptian ceramics maker

Egyptian ceramics maker Lecico said on Thursday that the workers strike at its plants in Khorshid, Alexandria has ended.
The strike, which started last Tuesday and lasted for nine days, saw operations at Lecico's sanitary ware and tile factories in Khorshid grind to a complete halt.
The plants account for 30 per cent of Lecico's total sanitary ware and 74 per cent of its tile production, Lecico said in a statement. The firm's other factories in Egypt, Lebanon and France have all been operating normally.
Lecico was among firms hit by labour unrest after the uprising that ousted former president Hosni Mubarak. Demonstrations were halted in February, when the firm agreed to what it called a "significant" pay rise for workers, only to restart in late July.
Lecico, which has significant sales in Britain and other European markets, said a new tiles plant it is building near Alexandria should bring its tile production in August back to previous levels.
Lecico said protests at its factories have been non-violent and staff and facilities remain safe.
Shares in the firm had gained 2.08 per cent on the Egyptian stock exchange just before close of trade Thursday.