GIZA, Egypt: Ten thousand education employees in Giza and 6 October City went on strike today, Wednesday. The workers went on a strike against work, participating in monitoring polling stations during elections, and mid-term exams, as well as protesting against the suspension of bonus worth 83.5 percent of their salaries. Mohamed el-Gamal, director of legal affairs of Hawamdeya department, said the details of the crisis date back to the decision of the former council of ministers concerning paying a bonus of 200 percent. He added that Giza governorate refused to pay a bonus estimated at 83.5 percent, to be paid starting the beginning of the financial year, in July. Gamal said Giza Governor Ali Abdel Rahman released a decision on November 30 to start paying the bonus, but some departments received bonuses while others did not. He said all strikers agreed to escalate their strike and close the road to Assiut if their problem is not solved. The directorates on strike include El Hawamdeya, El Ayat, El Badrashein, Kerdasa, Aby El Nomros, Giza, and 6 October, he said. Abdel Rahman held an emergency closed meeting with Deputy Minister of Education Naima Abdul Jalil and directors of the departments of education and finance in Giza and October 6 region to discuss a solution.
