(AFP Photo)
General Mohamed Shams, head of the Sokhna port security forces, said that despite signs of a breakthrough in the Platinum crisis after procedures to hire 850 workers began with new companies, the crisis escalated yet again after the workers insisted on working specifically for Dubai Ports World Company (DP World).
Shams said he asked the new companies to be present on Tuesday morning with the workers’ contracts after receiving approval to hire 60% of the striking Platinum workers. The new companies accepted 10 conditions to protect workers’ rights. The most important conditions include cancelling the clause stipulating the companies’ right to fire any worker during the first three months, the right to family health insurance, pensions for 35 dead and injured workers, a three-shift system, hiring older employees, and offering life insurance of EGP 500 for every worker.
Shams added that the new contracts will include hiring all the principal and casual workers and an annual increase in profits as received by DP World workers. He stated that no one should be interested in continuing the strike, since the situation is harming all parties involved.
He also said that he will be holding a meeting on Tuesday morning with Mohamed Gaballa, the head of the Red Sea Ports Corporation, to empower the new companies that will replace Platinum.
Gaballah said there are signs of a breakthrough in the crisis after the meeting held with workers and representatives of the company.
He stated that the presidency gave orders to all concerned parties to work on solving the problem halting port operations, which negatively affects the Egyptian economy.
The workers pledged to open the port and restart work on all platforms after being shown the contracts they are expected to sign.
A workers’ strike in Sokhna port caused losses to DP World after two ships changed their destinations to other ports.
Around 1,200 workers from Platinum have been on strike for 13 days, demanding that their contracts be reinstated and that permanent employment is guaranteed.
