Policemen in Egypt’s Sharqiya call off sit-in

Lower-ranking Sharqiya policemen demanding financial and occupational benefits have ended their two-day sit-in after holding negotiations with interior ministry officials, Egypt’s state news agency reported.

Dozens of low-ranking policemen in the Nile Delta governorate of Sharqiya had been sitting-in at the provincial security directorate in the town of Zagazig since Saturday, pledging to continue with an open-ended sit-in until their demands are met.

Their demands include better financial and working conditions, improved health insurance, scheduled promotions, and the payment of delayed bonuses.

State news agency MENA said that the police personnel ended their sit-in late Sunday after “successful negotiations” with interior ministry officials.

A provincial security official said that an agreement has been reached with the protesters to “leave and call off the sit-in and present their demands to the interior minister for a decision by 5 September.”

However, Yasser Farouk, media director at the security directorate, denied minutes earlier that the sit-in had ended, according to comments reported by MENA.

The protest on Sunday turned violent as central security forces fired tear gas to disperse protesting police members who also demanded the dismissal of interior minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar, leaving at least four injured on both sides, Ahram Arabic reported.

This is not the first time low-ranking policemen have held demonstrations in Egypt in recent years to demand better pay or improved working conditions.

Since the 2011 uprising, policemen have protested on several occasions deteriorating working conditions, low salaries, and a lack of safety or limited access to weapons.

source: Ahram Online