The Public Transport Authority workers on Saturday announced the beginning of an open-ended sit-in outside cabinet headquarters on Qasr al-Ainy Street, downtown Cairo, following a ten-day strike. The workers demand higher salaries and improved service for citizens.
The workers closed Qasr al-Ainy Street with barricades and prevented cars from passing. They formed three committees to stand at the entrances of the sit-in, and stressed that they would remain until the cabinet responded to their demands.
The workers demanded the dismissal of the Minister of Manpower and Immigration Ahmed al-Borai for refusing to negotiate before they resume work.
Khaled Abdel Rahman, a driver, called for the dismissal of Borai for offending workers, stressing that they are ready to extend their strike for a year if the cabinet continues ignoring their demands.
Ashraf Badr, a bus conductor, said the unions do not represent the workers because the government union conspired with Borai against the workers while the independent union failed to help them achieve their demands.
He added the cabinet must bear the consequences of the strike as long as it does not respond, saying that public transport workers in Alexandria have expressed solidarity with striking workers in Cairo.
Fouad Rashad, one of the strikers, said that blocking Qasr al-Ainy Street sends a message to the prime minister for canceling his meeting with workers and authorizing Borai to negotiate with them instead.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
