Egypt

Protests over housing, water and power shortages, and bonuses

Twenty-six families living in the Zerzara slum, whose homes were burned down, continued their protest for the second day before the office of Port Said governorate.

Residents refused compensation of LE2000, suggested by the National Democratic Party as a means to build new housing.

Protesters blocked the main road, and female protesters called on First Lady Suzanne Mubarak to intervene.

Meanwhile, 23 members of agricultural associations in south Port Said protested in front of the governorate office against water shortages and power cuts.

Protesters claimed the water shortages have led to crops being burned.

"Services are rendered to those in authority, the owners of fish farms which consume a vast quantity of water, although this is against decisions made by the agriculture minister. However, agricultural farms are deprived of any services," said protesters.

In Gharbiya, more than 1000 employees at hospitals and health administrations organized protests demanding the disbursement of bonuses.

Sherif Hammouda, health ministry deputy in Gharbiya, met with hospital employees and directors, calling on them to end their protest and promising a solution.

Hammouda said Governor Abdel Hamid al-Shennawi had submitted a report to health minister Hatem al-Gebali, demanding that employees be included in a decision on bonuses.

Meanwhile, doctors at the emergency department at Ismailia's public hospital threatened to go on strike because of money owed to them since May.

They said they have submitted a report to Mohamed al-Sharqawi, the health ministry deputy in Ismailia, and Abdel Galeel al-Fakharani, Ismailia's governor, calling for intervention.

Doctors also warned of a shortage of doctors, due to the contracts of dozens of departmental doctors being breached.

Translated from the Arabic Edition

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