CAIRO: The Ministry of Agriculture's temporary workers demonstrated in front of the ministry's building in Dokki against ill-treatment and low wages, demanding the rights of their full-time counterparts. Temporary workers said they form up to 75 percent of the ministry's workforce. Most of them have been working for the ministry for 10-20 years with wages ranging from LE 50 to LE 280, the workers told Daily News Egypt. Most of them refused to have their names published in fear of reprisal. They claimed that in a typical agricultural field station, 50 workers would be on temporary contracts and only 10 are fulltime employees, who are usually the managerial staff, receiving higher wages, in addition to incentives and bonuses. Deputy agriculture minister Fathy Ghonema said that temporary workers have signed contracts giving them "fair wages. He said their salaries are equivalent to that of entry level jobs, i.e. LE 150 a month. In addition, he continued, the Ministry of Agriculture is not in full control of the salaries and incentives; the Ministry of Finance controls the budget, he said. He, however, called for improved working conditions. Workers also complained about the instability of their jobs, saying they could be fired without any notice. "When we complain to the managers they say your names . can be easily erased from the records, said Ahmed El Harouty, a worker at an agricultural station in Desouq. He said the previous agricultural ministers and top officials had promised them full employment status, but none were fulfilled. They also complained about working conditions. One of the present workers said he sometimes works 20-hour shifts. The long shifts and irregular working hours, a recurrent complaint, have led to fatigue and consequently accidents, especially amongst tractor drivers. Many showed old laceration wounds and amputations from working in mills, in addition to eye damage. Mohamed Abdel-Rahman who had an amputated arm said that he filed a lawsuit in 2005 to get compensation for disability sustained at work. He was awarded LE 80,000 in a primary ruling but with an appeal in order, the money is out of his reach. By working on temporary contracts, these workers are only allowed an unpaid 10-day sick leave. El Harouty claimed that the stations make profits each year, indicating that there is a budget for temporary workers to receive better wages and be equated with their fulltime counterparts. Ghonema, however, said that the revenue can't be fully allocated to workers' salaries. Purchasing new equipment and maintenance take priority over paying the workers or hiring them fulltime. These machines, he continued, create the job opportunities available to these workers. The workers said the protest was their last resort. They ruled out strike action during vital crop seasons, when the state could incur losses in millions, in addition to food shortages. Ghonema said those who skipped work on the day of the demonstration would be placed under investigation. The workers told Daily News Egypt that leaflets were distributed at their workplaces stating that the ministry would take such action if they participate in the protest. Ghonema said the workers should have sent representatives to discuss their demands instead of protesting.
