Egypt civil servants protest against law they fear will cut ranks
Hundreds of Egyptian tax collectors rallied this week against a new law seeking to reform the country's mammoth civil service, calling it unfair and unconstitutional in one of the largest anti-government protest in recent times.
At least 2,000 tax and customs workers protested in Cairo, urging President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to scrap the law and fire his finance and planning ministers.
Critics say the law, which comes as parliament has been empty since 2012, is not fair as some, like doctors and teachers, are exempt. They fear it could dramatically reduce Egypt's public workforce of over 6 million employees.
Government officials say the law is necessary as the civil service swallows over 25 per cent of the government's budget. The law, endorsed before Egypt hosted a foreign investment conference in March, also introduces evaluations as a basis for promotion.
Planning Minister Ashraf el-Arabi told private television station CBC that Egypt's economy was in a "critical" condition and the country couldn't delay in implementing such reforms. But for many state employees, the law has caused a large dent in their salaries amid an inflation rate hovering above 11 per cent and an economy struggling to recover from three years of political turmoil.
"If this law is enforced, they will encourage us to accept bribes," said protesting tax collector Mohammed el-Shahat. Another protester, Zeinab Salem, said her gross salary increased but she ended up with less because of newly fixed raises and paying higher taxes. "What is a fixed raise of 50 pounds ($6.50) going to do!" she yelled.
Police stood guard but didn't disperse the rally. Organisers said they received a government permit beforehand. Thousands have been imprisoned for breaking a protest law that requires prior government approval and imposes harsh fines. (AP)
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