EGYPTIAN LABOUR UNREST GROWS AFTER UPRISING

Egypt’s military rulers on February 14 called for an end to strikes and protests as thousands of state employees, from ambulance drivers to police and transport workers, demonstrated to demand better pay in a growing wave of labour unrest unleashed by the democracy uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak’s regime. The statement by the ruling military council that took power from Mubarak appeared to be a final warning to protest organisers in labour and professional unions before the army intervenes and imposes an outright ban on gatherings, strikes and sit-ins. Soldiers cleared out almost all the remaining demonstrators from Cairo’s Tahrir Square, the giant traffic circle that was turned into a protest camp headquarters for the 18-day revolt. During more than two weeks of round-the-clock demonstrations at the square, protesters set up tents, brought in blankets, operated medical clinics and festooned the entire plaza with giant banners demanding removal of the regime. By early afternoon, a few dozen stalwarts remained, standing in one corner of the square and yelling for the release of political prisoners. The remaining protesters say they won’t leave until all those detained during the revolt are released.