Workers at Samnoud Textiles strike to demand implementation of national minimum wage

The workers demand that their minimum wages increase to EGP 6,000 monthly as per a recent government decision.

On Thursday, the management of Samnoud Textiles rejected the workers' demand for implementing the minimum wage and instead offered "exceptional bonuses" of EGP 200 for production departments and EGP 100 for service departments starting in September.

The workers rejected management's offer, arguing that it fails to address the rising cost of living driven by soaring inflation that remains relatively high at 25 percent.

Samnoud management said that it requested an exemption from the new minimum wage requirement from the Grievance Committee of the National Council for Wages and is awaiting a decision.

In April, the National Council for Wages, which sets wages and salaries nationally, raised the minimum wage for workers from 3,500 EGP to 6,000 EGP per month - a fifth increase in two years.

The council allowed for exemptions to micro-enterprises with fewer than 10 workers and other companies which can prove financial hardship.

Samnoud Textiles, established in 1974 in Gharbiya Governorate, was once a robust operation with three factories employing around 2,000 workers.

However, the number of employees has dwindled in recent years to fewer than 600, with half women.