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Cairo International Airport workers walked out, hundreds demanding higher wages, better healthcare coverage and other benefits. Other strikes affect banks, transport, oil, tourism, and various government agencies. One of the most important actions impacts major Cairo banks, forcing many businesses and factories to close because customers can't get funds to buy products being produced.
Many factories closed when even small numbers of workers struck to prevent actions gaining traction and spreading to other facilities. Plants affected include textiles, chemicals, cement, ceramics, steel and others.
According the the newspaper Al-Masri Al-Youm:
"In the wake of the 25 January uprising, employees in many sectors - including state-owned publishing houses and the supply directorate (rations) - took to the streets for the first time. While their demands were primarily economic, they also included pleas against corruption and nepotism."
Social injustice is a major concern it stressed, saying:
"Although protesters have clear economic grievances, they primarily lament what they perceive as unfair procedures, either in regard to unequal pay among employees of various government institutions or the arbitrary dismissal of workers."
So far, banks, businesses, factories, schools, universities and the stock exchange remain closed. Workers also expressed anger over the state-controlled Egyptian Trade Union Federation (ETUF). Thousands demonstrated outside its headquarters, demanding its chief, Hussein Megawer, resign along with members of his governing board.
AP reported that:
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