Strikes are still being staged in several sectors in the country with both sides apparently becoming impatient, reports Reem Leila Government officials have proposed possible solutions to put an end to the ongoing strikes sweeping across the country. But strikes are still being held by school teachers, doctors, university employees and public transport drivers. This week President Mohamed Mursi met with representatives of the Doctors Syndicate to discuss their demands in attempt to solve the problems ahead of a strike by doctors on 1 October. At the end of the meeting, the president agreed on implementing the doctors' cadre starting from the new fiscal year in July 2013. Yasser Ali, the presidential spokesman, said, "the president's approval on implementing the cadre system is preliminary. It should first be studied thoroughly by the Ministry of Health and Population. Moreover, an extra LE700 million must be provided to doctors." Doctors demand a minimum wage of LE3,000 a month instead of the current LE200. They also want security guards inside hospitals, especially emergency rooms which have recently come under violent attacks. The healthcare budget should also be increased to 15 per cent of the country's general budget instead of the current five per cent. They also request the government to immediately implement the doctors' cadre system with a proper system for promotions. Despite Mursi's initial agreement on implementing the cadre plan, doctors are not satisfied. Mustafa Al-Beheiri, a member of the syndicate, stated, "the money which Mursi decided to provide to doctors is not extra; they are delayed bonuses that should have been paid before. The government never keeps its promises; it always breaks its vows to us." Doctors agreed that the planned 1 October strike will exclude emergency units, kidney dialysis, intensive care units and incubators. During the strike, doctors will work only on Thursdays and follow up with patients in critical condition. However, chairman of the Doctors Syndicate Khairi Abdel-Dayem believes there is no need to proceed with plans for a strike. "President Mursi promised us to solve our problems by the coming fiscal year. So doctors should wait and see what will happen," said Abdel-Dayem. In relevant context, school teachers are still striking until the government meets all their demands. School teachers continued their sit-in in front of the Cabinet's headquarters downtown demanding better pay and implementation of a teachers' cadre. According to the teachers, monthly wages should be increased to at least LE3,000 instead of LE500, in addition to appointing temporary teachers. Mohamed Zaki, a member of the Teachers Union, believes teachers have the right to resort to all possible means to pressure the government to keep its promises. "We agreed to have a full school day today but teachers won't attend their classes in all schools in 6 October, Sheikh Zayed and Port Said to force the government to respond to our demands," said Zaki. Ayman Al-Beyali, deputy head of the Teachers Union, said there were strikes in some schools. "Unfortunately, the Education Ministry does not have the power to issue true and credible decrees to solve our problems. It's all in the hands of the government and the Finance Ministry," said Al-Beyali. On 22 September, dozens of administrative educational staff demonstrated in front of the Cabinet asking to be made financially equal to school teachers. They also asked for setting a minimum wage of at least LE1,500 upon being hired. Protesters held up banners with "We're in a continuous sit-in until our demands are met" while chanting "Bread, freedom and social justice", the motto of the revolution which broke out last year. Safy Atwa, a school employee on strike, said, "We want to be paid 200 per cent in incentive bonus. There is no discrimination between us and teachers. We all work during exams and we all have similar responsibilities as well as the same financial burdens, so why differentiate between us? We also want temporary employees," said Atwa. Minister of Education Ibrahim Ghoneim has already referred 14 teachers for questioning by the ministry because they refused to attend school. Ghoneim also instructed that they be suspended until the investigation ends. This year the ministry appointed 70,000 teachers in addition to 60,000 employees, in addition to fixing up financial and job conditions for 140,000 other staff. On 22 September, six workers at Cairo governorate's Public Transport Authority (PTA) ended their open-ended hunger strike which they began a few days earlier. Also, drivers of six of PTA garages ended their strike. Tarek Al-Beheiri, spokesman of the General Union of Independent Public Transport, justified ending the strike by stating that Mona Mustafa, head of PTA, had agreed on increasing bonuses. "We did not give up on the rest of our demands which is changing our affiliation to the Ministry of Transport instead of Cairo governorate. We will adopt a different method which is being patient and persistent until all our demands are met," said Al-Beheiri. Ibrahim Mohamed, a driver, blamed the General Union of Independent Public Transport for not supporting drivers. According to Mohamed, Mustafa bribed many drivers with huge amounts of money to end their strike. "Mustafa promised many drivers with promotions and gave each one LE5,000 to end his strike. This is a sum which many drivers cannot resist," Mohamed said. At the same time, Mustafa denied previous accusations and stated that drivers ended their strike willingly when they became convinced that PTA officials were doing their best to meet their demands. "Negotiations are continuing with all authorities concerned to discuss changing the PTA affiliation," said Mustafa.
