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Egypt braced for 'general strike' Clashes in Egypt strike stand-off
(about 23 hours later)
The Egyptian authorities have said they will take firm action against anyone taking part in a strike on Sunday in protest against food prices and wages. Egyptian textile workers and police have clashed after security forces prevented a strike by taking control of a major Nile Delta textiles plant.
The interior ministry warned it would impose prison sentences on anybody participating in the industrial action or inciting others to take part. Workers threw stones and set fire to shops in Mahalla al-Kubra as police fired tear gas to disperse protesters.
It also made it clear that no public demonstrations would be tolerated. Elsewhere in Egypt, protests against economic conditions have largely failed in the face of a heavy police presence.
But traffic in Cairo was reported to be lighter than usual as many people avoided going to work or school.
Tough action threatened
Independent workers' rights organisers had hoped a strike by the 27,000 employees of the state-owned Misr Helwan Spinning and Weaving Company would be the centrepiece of a nationwide day of action against rising prices and low wages.
Police occupied the factory in Mahalla al-Kubra, in northern Egypt, overnight and prevented workers from gathering at the end of their shifts.
However, as many as 2,000 protesters gathered in the town's main square where they clashed with police.
We have to give [the government] a chance to see improvements Sayyid Habib, labour leader Egyptians hit by rising food pricesWorkers demand raises and rights
At least 50 people were arrested, officials said. Witnesses said more than 100 people were injured in the textile town, Reuters news agency reported.
About 50 more people were arrested in Cairo and several provinces as a heavy police presence cut short other protests.
Solidarity strikes and demonstrations elsewhere in Egypt were cancelled.
The authorities had threatened tough action against anyone taking part in a strike, saying no public demonstrations would be tolerated.
Strikes are illegal in Egypt and in the past the government has ordered the police to break them up by using force.Strikes are illegal in Egypt and in the past the government has ordered the police to break them up by using force.
The strike call comes two days before key municipal elections on Tuesday, the first to take place under the constitutional amendments passed in March 2007. Limited appeal
'Illegitimate groups' The attempted strike came two days before key municipal elections on Tuesday, the first to take place under the constitutional amendments passed in March 2007.
In a statement, officials warned people against participating in the general strike, called by activists and workers at one of the biggest state-owned textile factories, in protest at low wages and the sharp increases in food prices in recent months. Some schools cancelled classes and told pupils to stay at home, possibly because of fears of trouble in the streets rather than the strike itself.
The ministry's agencies will take the necessary and immediate firm measures against any attempt to demonstrate, block traffic, or hinder public services Egyptian interior ministry Egyptians hit by rising food pricesWorkers demand raises and rights
In September, thousands of workers seized control of the Misr Helwan Spinning and Weaving Company's factory in Mahalla al-Kubra during a similar strike.
A strike at the plant in December 2006 led to a wave of labour protests and demonstrations across Egypt, after which the state met the workers' demands.
"The ministry's agencies will take the necessary and immediate firm measures against any attempt to demonstrate, block traffic, or hinder public services - or inciting any of these acts," the statement said.
The ministry also condemned the actions of "illegitimate groups" in calling the general strike and warned that prison awaited those who planned to take part.
In the past few days, anti-government groups have been sending messages on mobile phones and via the internet calling on people to stay at home on Sunday, boycott shops and wear black clothes.
More than a third of Egyptians live below or just above the poverty line
Other activists are also planning sits-ins in some public squares.
The BBC's Heba Saleh in Cairo says that although a wave of popular discontent has been sweeping the country in response to the rising cost of food and low wages, the groups calling for the general strike have limited public appeal.The BBC's Heba Saleh in Cairo says that although a wave of popular discontent has been sweeping the country in response to the rising cost of food and low wages, the groups calling for the general strike have limited public appeal.
Nevertheless, she says some Egyptians may be tempted to express their anger about the increased hardship, which has seen queues in front of bakeries selling subsidised bread and most families struggling to meet their basic needs. Several textile factories have been hit by strikes in the past two yearsWorkers are also divided about striking. Labour leader Sayyid Habib said the government was working to meet the workers' demands.
"We have to give them a chance to see improvements," he told Associated Press news agency.
In September, thousands of workers seized control of the Mahalla al-Kubra factory during a similar strike.
A strike at the plant in December 2006 led to a wave of labour protests and demonstrations across Egypt, after which the state met the workers' demands.
The Egyptian government has promised to increase salaries and has extended its food subsidy programme to include an additional 15 million people.The Egyptian government has promised to increase salaries and has extended its food subsidy programme to include an additional 15 million people.
More than a third of Egyptians live below or just above the poverty line of $2 (£1) a day.More than a third of Egyptians live below or just above the poverty line of $2 (£1) a day.
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