Ruling party and opposition members of parliament’s labor committee on Tuesday held the government responsible for a recent spate of labor demonstrations in Egypt. The session saw a number of interpellations leveled regarding the layoff of 1700 employees of the Amnesito Company, owned by fugitive businessman Adel Agha.
"Unfortunately, the government is unable to solve this problem," said Hussein Megawer, committee president and head of Egypt’s state-run trade union federation.
"Egypt is ruled by a gang that has sold it on the cheap," said committee secretary Ahmed Abu Higgi.
Ruling party representative Sayed Rostom agreed with Abu Higgi’s statement, asking why ministers familiar with the issue had chosen not to attend the session.
Independent MP Gamal Zahran accused the government of "weakening" parliament and tarnishing its public image by preventing representatives from aiding protesting workers.
Tagammu Party MP Abdel Aziz Shaaban, for his part, accused the government of "destroying the pillars of industry" by allowing mass layoffs.
According to MP Saeed el-Gohary, Agha had given a number of high government officials positions in his companies. "He was partners with a former prime minister," el-Gohary said, adding that the government had been responsible for Agha’s escape from prison and subsequent flight from Egypt.
Megawer announced that a follow-up committee meeting would be convened next Monday, to which he had invited five ministers to participate.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
