Sit-in at Egypt's National Cement prompts Parliamentary investigation

Egypt's National Cement Company is to be investigated after parliament decided it must resolve the dispute that has seen factory workers start a hunger strike and a sit-in, nearly a week ago, after 75 per cent of their wages were deducted.

Work ground to a halt at National Cement company last November and MPs are demanding the real reasons for the government-affiliate's economic problems, when in 2017 it produced about 112 per cent of its set target (5500tpd), according to the development plan, but still made financial losses of EGP1bn (US$15.3m) due to the high cost of gas. MP Mohamed Fouad issued a questionnaire to Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and Minister Badawy, demanding an honest discussion to reveal the reasons that lead to the company's current economic situation.

Approximately 1600 cement plant workers have taken part in sit-in protests, according to Egypt Today.