AUC students join forces with staff in general strike

Student, workers and staff of the American University in Cairo went on strike Sunday to protest the increase of tuition fees, deterioration in the quality of education and low salaries.

“We thought AUC is a place that respects human rights but it’s not; there is no social justice whatsoever,” said Mohamed Abdallah, who has been working at the university for three years. He was carrying a banner listing the demands of the campus’ security officers.

Around 170 security officers joined the strike, along with Desert Development Center (DDC) workers and the housing staff, all with one major demand: salary increase.

The list of demands of the security workers includes: a minimum wage of LE 2,000; an hour-long break or compensation; risk compensation; limiting working hours to eight a day; and appointing all workers on daily wages.

The list of DDC workers demands includes a daily compensation of LE 200 for a meal; a minimum wage of LE 2,000; a two-day weekend; overtime; and a change of uniform.

“After the revolution last January and the security [problem], they brought security dogs that they pay LE 15,000 for,” said Saeed Abdel Kader, an AUC worker of three years.

AUC security officers are paid around LE 1,300 but with deduction due to health insurance, pension and other expenses they are paid an average of LE 900 a month, with a five percent annual increase.

“What kind of workplace makes us carry the expenses of health insurance?” workers said.

The security staff was taking shifts alternating between securing the campus and participating in the Sunday demonstration.