Hossam el-Hamalawy
The strike by 200 workers at Al-Arabiya brick-making factory in Tebbin (South of Cairo) enters its 12th day, protesting the company’s liquidation.
On another front, the minister of transportation, Muhammad Mansour, appealed yesterday to the railway workers to “stand by him… and not listen to the subversive minority which is agitating for strikes and demonstrations for no reason,” reports Al-Masry Al-Youm.
Mubarak’s crackdown on leftists continues:
Following the closure of the Center for Trade Union and Workers’ Services offices in Naga’a Hammadi and Mahalla, the Ministry of Social Affairs has decreed today the closure of the labor rights NGO’s main office in Helwan.
Download the Arabic statement I received here.
UPDATE: Here’s an English translation of the statement (Thanks Aida)
URGENT
MINISTRY DECIDES TO CLOSE DOWN CENTER FOR TRADE UINION WORKERS CENTER (CTUWS) IN HELWAN
A decree to close down the main headquarters of the CTUWS in Helwan was issued today, Sunday, 22 April 2007. The decree was referred to the ministry’s administration in Helwan, and from there to the Local Council authorities for execution.
It’s noteworthy that two branches of the CTUWS, in Naga’a Hamadi and in Mahalla el-Kobra, were closed down earlier this month.
Address of CTUWS
3 A Muhammad Sid Ahmad Street, Petrogas apartment buildings, Alexandria building, First floor, Helwan
Tel: 5593932 – 5593929
UPDATE: Activists will assemble tomorrow Monday 12 noon in front of the CTUWS (close to Helwan Underground Metro station), to try blocking its closure.
In a good show of solidarity with leftists, the deputy head of the Muslim Brotherhood, Dr. Muhammad Habib, denounced the government closure of the Center for Trade Union and Workers’ Services branches in Naga’a Hammadi and Mahalla.