Watan-Egypt is witnessing a wave of anger and resentment following increasing reports of Emirati companies exploiting Egyptian workers with low wages and grueling working hours, amid a lack of government oversight and protection of workers’ rights.
One of the most prominent companies accused of such practices is Atyab, a food industry firm that refuses to comply with the minimum wage law. Workers there reportedly earn only around 4,000 EGP per month while being subjected to excessively long shifts exceeding eight hours per day without overtime pay or fair compensation.
This situation has driven dozens of workers to strike, demanding their rightful wages and working conditions. The company’s management has refused negotiations and ignored their demands, fueling further frustration. Workers complain that Atyab failed to honor its promises regarding overtime pay. One worker stated, “We work non-stop, with no fixed return time. I struggle all day and get home at 9 or 10 PM, without any recognition.”
However, the issue goes beyond Emirati corporate exploitation—it also involves government complicity. Instead of addressing workers’ grievances, the Sisi regime has resorted to security crackdowns, arrests, and intimidation to suppress labor protests. This has triggered a wave of solidarity with the workers, as many view the situation as state-backed Emirati exploitation.
Besides Atyab, other Emirati-owned companies face similar accusations. Al-Raya Market, for instance, has also seen strikes, with workers demanding an annual wage increase of 45%, after the company only approved a 20% raise. Workers also insist on the enforcement of minimum wage regulations. These protests reflect the deep frustration over rising living costs and the declining value of the Egyptian pound.
Emirati exploitation of Egyptian workers is not a new phenomenon, but it has escalated significantly due to UAE control over key economic sectors in Egypt. Taking advantage of Egypt’s struggling economy and the ruling regime’s dependence on Emirati support, these companies continue to operate with impunity. This situation raises serious questions about the Egyptian state’s role in protecting its citizens and whether workers can secure their rights in the face of relentless suppression of labor movements.
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