Protests continued on Tuesday in Cairo and five other governorates for demands including better living conditions, higher salaries, and the release of Egyptians detained in Libya.
Outside the Cabinet building in Cairo, nearly 200 drivers protested the installments payment system for their white taxis, which they operate as part of a government scheme introduced in 2009 to replace their older taxis with cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles. The drivers complain that the government bought their old cars for cheap returns.
Altercations took place between passers-by and drivers who blocked traffic on Qasr al-Aini Street.
At a different protest, a number of relatives of Egyptians detained in Libya demonstrated outside the Foreign Ministry in Cairo to demand intervention for their release.
In Minya, Upper Egypt, residents of Talla village demanded that they be provided with a sanitary drainage service. Some residents also staged protests demanding public housing. In Assiut, also in Upper Egypt, tens of peasants protested outside the governorate's office over soaring rental costs for agricultural lands.
Meanwhile, administrative university workers continued their strikes at the universities of Alexandria, Zagazig and Suez over financial demands which include better salaries and equality with teaching staff.
Nurses and technicians at several university hospitals continued striking for the eighth day in a row, also demanding better working conditions.
In Hurghada, Russian-speaking tour guides went on strike, protesting the appointment of foreigners in their place. There were also protests in Damanhour, where employees at the blood bank are demanding the dismissal of the director.
Meanwhile in Suez, bus drivers went on strike, demanding police protection against repeated attacks by thugs.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
