Employees from branches of the Information Center of the Cabinet of Ministers decided to turn their protest into an open-ended sit-in in front of the People's Assembly. The protesters are demanding permanent contracts and higher salaries. Dozens of employees spent their first night on the People's Assembly sidewalk and chanted slogans urging Mubarak and MPs to intervene on their behalf. Unlike other protests, this one was characterized by the presence of a considerable number of female protesters who slept on the sidewalk facing the People's Assembly. Many of the women also brought along their children. One female protester said, "What else can we do? There's no money at home...and we can't leave them alone." She added, "The current situation can't continue." The protesters said they will escalate their protest if the state continues to neglect their rights. They also said that a number of MPs have already expressed solidarity with the protesters and pledged to submit early-day motions at the People's Assembly to discuss their conditions. Mohamed Ebeid, one of the protesters, said employees have received a monthly salary of LE99 for the last eight years without any bonus, even though they have participated in several national projects such as the girls' education initiative and the population census in 2006. Ebeid added that they had also signed a consent form stating they will not carry out other employment during their period of employment. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
