CAIRO: Egyptian Minister of Manpower Ahmed al-Boraei today met with representatives of the striking transportation workers at the Ministry to discuss demands. Meanwhile protestors continue to demonstrate, more than 10 stations are participating and 23 workers are on a hunger strike. “The strike will continue until an official publication declaring the rights of workers is issued,” said Mohammed Foud, a member of the Independent Union of Public Transport Authority. “The representatives meeting with the Minister of Manpower are empowered to engage in dialogue, but the decision to suspend the strike is up to the workers themselves,” said Mahmoud Salah, a member of the Union. Cairo is currently considering alternative means of transport in case the strike continues, according to officials in the Public Transport Authority. The strike allegedly has cost the Authority and the city 6 million EGP (U.S. $1 million). Microbuses and private companies are taking advantage of the situation by raising ticket prices and allowing their vehicles to transport passengers beyond capacity. The A employees of public transport in greater Cairo continued their strike in garages to press for demands including salary incentives, the sale and maintenance of older vehicles and salary increases. Several clashes between passengers erupted near the Haram area. Some passengers have expressed anger at the strike, citing difficulties getting to work. Some angry passengers attacked officials in the Ramses Station, and similar scenes are unfolding at various Cairo stations. Many passengers called on Prime Minister Essam Sharaf to resolve the crisis. “The continuation of the crisis weighs heavily on citizens and bus drivers must be punished for shirking their duty,” said one passenger in Abd el-Moneim Riyad Station.
