Tanta Linen Co. strike continues despite pressure from government and state security

The Tanta Linen / Flax and Oils Co. strike continues, now on its fourth week, Al-Masry Al-Youm reports. Said Gowhary, head of the general union of textile workers, claims the union will continue to support the workers - "whatever happens" - in spite of pressures from the Ministry of Manpower, the governor of Gharbeya, and state security to end the strike. The Saudi investor who owns the company has so far refused any negotiations. The workers are demanding that their bonuses and incentives are calculated based on the current salary (as stipulated in the law) rather than the salary when the company was privatized, as well as the reinstatement of 9 workers - including 2 unionists - that were fired after a strike in July last year.