There is no end in sight to the current spate of industrial unrest, reports Reem Leila The wave of strikes that have hit Egypt including, among others, teachers, doctors, textile workers, imams at the Ministry of Religious Endowments and employees of the Central Auditing Organisation (CAO) are, says Cairo University professor of political science Hassan Nafaa, a reflection of how "the government has lost its credibility". "The continuous strikes reveal the disappointment of some elements of society with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces [SCAF]." The public, says Nafaa, had hoped for new and promising signs. Instead, they are witnessing Egypt moving backwards. "The SCAF is procrastinating over the transition to democracy, throwing up needless issues in a way that threatens the eruption of another revolution." The strikes, he argues, are caused by a single reason. "People are fed up. The government must work seriously towards ending social tension by raising salaries. They must also tackle sectarian tensions. Unity must be maintained and the people given a realistic assessment of their expectations." "People must be confident that the interim period will not last forever. The SCAF desperately needs to show willingness to participate with elected entities in ruling the country until presidential elections take place." Hundreds of school teachers renewed their protest in front of the cabinet's headquarters this week. The strikers want better pay, the dismissal of Minister of Education Ahmed Gamaleddin Moussa, and improved working conditions. Head of the Teachers' Independent Syndicate Mohamed Zahran says that they have yet to receive an official response to their demands and will now escalate action to a nationwide strike beginning on 14 November, ahead of mid-term exams. Teachers who are members of the Muslim Brotherhood have said they will continue to ignore the strike calls. According to an official statement published on the group's website, members will continue working in order not to jeopardise students' futures and to allow the government more time to fulfil teachers' demands. The Federation of Egyptian Teachers, which has participated in sit- ins, also refused to take part in the 8 October action. Action by doctors who are demanding the health budget increase from 3.5 per cent to 15 per cent of the general budget is also ongoing. They also want to see better security at hospitals, a revised salary structure, better facilities, equipment and training and the sacking of Health Minister Amr Helmi. According to Helmi, negotiations between the ministries of health and finance continue. "The financial cost of the salary increases has not been agreed," said Helmi in a press release issued by the ministry. The health minister denied reports that LE700 million had been allocated from the country's general budget to increase the salaries of doctors. On 9 October imams working at the Ministry of Religious Endowments protested in front of the ministry's premises then marched to the cabinet to continue their demonstration. Protesters are calling for the payment of 200 per cent incentives, the dismissal of corrupt officials at the ministry and creation of a syndicate for preachers. Striking sheikhs threatened to resign and file complaints with the prosecutor-general against Prime Minister Essam Sharaf for treating Copts better than preachers and responding to teachers' and public transport workers' demands while ignoring theirs. According to striker Sheikh Abdel-Aziz Ragab, the minister of religious endowments had failed to press the rights of sheikhs and preachers in the cabinet. A bonus agreed months ago, Ragab says, has also not yet been paid. Dozens of employees demonstrated in front of the CAO headquarters against its head, Mubarak-appointed Gawdat El-Malt, and his assistant Mohamed Wanis. Striking employees say the organisation needs a more efficient head. They are also demanding greater independence for the organisation. Protesters fear the SCAF is seeking to extend El-Malt's tenure for four more years. Tarek El-Guibeli, a member of the Auditors Against Corruption Movement (AAC), says AAC has filed 12 cases in front of the Administrative Court implicating El-Malt in corruption. "El-Malt connived to cover up corruption under the last regime in the privatisation programme, large public banks, and in a series of land deals, including that of Madinaty and business tycoon Hisham Talaat Mustafa," says El-Guibeli. He also complains that the regulations governing the CAO were amended under Mubarak, compromising its independence. "The CAO law was amended 1998 so as to place the organisation under the president's control." Textile workers in Al-Mahalla Al-Kubra have been striking for weeks in front of their factories demanding pay increases and better working conditions. Striking workers announced action would continue until all their demands were met. "The protesters have legitimate demands, their salaries do not meet their needs, but the government does not have enough resources to pay them more," says Nafaa. The economic downturn has depressed the market for many goods, forcing a reduction in production.
