CAIRO: Thousands of public transportation workers continued an open-ended strike in Cairo on Thursday, protesting against alleged corruption and demanding better wages. The striking workers drove their buses in a long convoy to the Public Transport Association (PTA) headquarters in Nasr City. They chanted slogans demanding equality and a 200 percent raise. They also demanded proper incentives, insurance, health care and benefits for their children as in other sectors as well as end of service packages, currently at around LE 27,000 according to some of the workers previously interviewed by DNE. Drivers are also calling for a better bonus system and improved transportation services for citizens. The Socialist Studies Center issued a statement saying that about 1,500 drivers held a demonstration in front of the PTA but refused to negotiate with its head Mona Moustafa. The strike, which began Wednesday morning in PTA bus hubs nation-wide, reflects a frustration with a management that has failed to meet their demands. Government officials have continuously downplayed the scope of the strike, but labor rights advocates said that strike action has hit 20 of Cairo's 25 garages. DNE was unable to confirm the exact number by time of press. According to news reports, the strike has led to losses estimated at LE 1 million per day.
