(DNE File Photo)
Around 350 workers have been dismissed from their jobs at a factory in Alexandria on Sunday morning, without adequate justification, according to the Egyptian Centre for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR).
Mohamed Adel, a lawyer at ECESR said that between 350 and 400 workers at the Hi Tech Textile factory in Alexandria were relieved of their duties because they demanded higher wages. According to Adel, the owner of the factory laid off the Egyptian workers in favour of foreign workers because their wage demands are lower than the Egyptian workers.
Susanne Nada, an ECESR lawyer in Alexandria who has contacted the workers said that the workers arrived at the factory demanding their rights following the recent dismissal of eleven of their co-workers. The factory owner responded to this by telling the workers they would all lose their jobs if they continued voicing their demands, said Nada. The workers continued expressing their demands and were subsequently dismissed while they protested outside the factory on Sunday.
Adel stressed that dismissal on these grounds is illegal. Nada said she attempted to contact the factory owner, but he stated he would only speak to the workers themselves.
Hi Tech Textile is a clothing manufacturer producing denim, casual and formal wear, according to the company’s website. Ashraf Mukaty, the factory director, was unavailable for comment.
