President Mohamed Morsi spoke to engineers and workers at a new steel and iron plant in Helwan on Tuesday, ahead of Labour Day. In his address, he emphasised the importance of workers and the steel sector in bolstering the Egyptian economy. Morsi called on workers to continue supporting Egypt and the various sectors that rely on their work. He also mentioned government plans to create thousands of jobs in the iron and steel sector over the next three years. “It is essential that we produce our own food and weapons, and the Egyptian worker is the foundation of this production," said the president. “You are all true partners in achieving industrial and economic development." Former presidential candidate Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh's Misr Al-Qawia Party called on the government to enact important labour reforms on Tuesday. The party said that workers had worked to claim the rights stolen by “abusive factory owners" who had previously been backed by the Mubarak government and continue to enjoy support under President Morsi. Misr Al-Qawia noted that despite the demands of the 25 January Revolution labour rights had been sidelined in the constitution and parliament. Misr Al-Qawia demanded the implementation of minimum and maximum wages and tying wages to prices and inflation, instead of production and said that the constitution should be amended in this regard. In its statement the party called for the removal of laws criminalising protests, demonstrations and strikes, and the abolition of “all forms of abuses against workers and trade unions for their economic and social development". It also called for open dialogue with trade union authorities, human rights centres, and political parties to formulate solutions to fix unemployment crises, an increase in freedoms for trade unions and better working conditions, and amending unjust labour and social insurance laws passed under the former regime. The party held a press conference at its headquarters declaring its solidarity with workers from various companies, including labourers from the Portland Cement Company, Fargallah, Cadbury, and the Ankubab Steel Company. The party called on the Ministry of Manpower to intervene to aid the workers at these companies.
