CAIRO: An open-ended strike began on Sunday, which saw a large number of Telecom Egypt (TE) employees demanding the removal of the company's Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Abdel Rahim. Among their demands are calls for the release of several of their co-workers currently detained by the authorities for allegedly kidnapping Abdel Rahim. Included in the strike were major phone centres located in parts of Dokki, Ramses, the Opera Neighburhood, Giza and many others nationwide. Despite the amount of workers that have gone on strike, the company released a statement ensuring their services have as of yet not been affected by the protest. The protest began last week when workers began staging several separate protests, demanding the complete removal of the managing board. Abdel Rahim is being accused of corruption and affiliation with the now disbanded National Democratic Party. The protesters have called for a companywide corruption investigation. The issue was escalated when a number of employees allegedly kidnapped Abdel Rahim and held him hostage at a telephone centre near the Opera suburbs of Cairo. Security forces were called in to free the man, and arrested five employees The open ended protest began thus on Sunday, after the public prosecution decided to extend the detention of the workers for another 15 days for investigation. Abdel Rahim has accused them of attempting to kill him, after being held for 20 hours. The unequal wage distribution has created a spiteful atmosphere among the protesters. Some claim that the management board receives thousands upon thousands of pounds in salaries and bonuses while the employees barely make one thousand per month. “This is a political decision, not a legal one. They have nothing against them. They want to frighten all Egyptians from going on strikes,” explained Rehab Hamdy, from TE's workers coalition. According to her, the protesters are prepared to cut landline and internet services countrywide if their demands are not met. TE phone lines have been busy and no statement has as of yet been released on Tuesday. Bikyamasr.com could not get hold of anyone still working in TE who would be willing to speak on the issue. BM
