Workers from the El-Mahalla Spinning and Weaving Company won a number of concessions from the Cabinet Thursday, including increased bonuses and food allowances. The Cabinet will increase monthly bonuses by 200 percent for workers receiving salaries between 60 and 120 EGP (U.S. $10-20), 125 percent for workers with salaries between 120 and 180 EGP (U.S. $20-30), 100 percent for salaries between 180 and 300 EGP (U.S. $60-100), and 25 percent for those paid more than 300 EGP. Minister of Manpower Ahmed al-Boraei said that the Restructuring Public Companies' Fund of the Ministry of Investment will cover these bonuses for six months, and El-Mahalla Spinning and Weaving Company's budget will cover bonuses for the next six months. The bonus increase will be applied next October. The cabinet will also increase the food allowance to Three Egyptian pounds (U.S. $0.50) per day. The workers said that they would call off the strike planned for next Saturday and agree with the government's offer. Boraei also said that a meeting will be held to reform the structures of the company, and a cabinet meeting will be held to discuss the workers demands and to save the weaving industry from total collapse.
