Cairo: 6 March 2019

The Freedom of Expression for Labor and Social Movements program of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) said today that committing suicide to escape from hard living conditions came at the top of the protesting methods used by Egyptians during February 2019, according to the monthly Index of Labor and Social Protests in Egypt.

The program monitored 46 social and labor protests that took place during the month of February, including 18 labor and professional protests and 28 social protests, which involved 16 cases of suicide or attempted suicide to escape the dire economic and social conditions suffered by Egyptians.

Hanging came as the first method used for suicide, with 7 cases monitored, whilst jumping from height came second with 4 cases.

As for the geographical distribution of protests, Cairo topped the labor and social protests with 13 protests, followed by Giza which witnessed 6 protests.

With regard to the sectorial distribution of February protests, the Spinning and Weaving sector topped all the labor and professional sectors, followed by the Transportation and Communications sector, whereas sectors of (Media and Journalism, Water and Sanitation, Electricity and Employees) came in the third place.

The Freedom of Expression for Labor and Social Movements program said: “We have monitored a unique phenomenon this month; as owners of stores and industrial workshops in Egypt’s different governorates have shut down their shops for several days and started to lay off daily wage workers and craftsmen, after it was reported that a tax inspection campaign will take place imposing huge and arbitrary levies on shops. This news has provoked an outburst of anger in several governorates, including Damietta, before it has extended to reach Kafr El-Sheikh, Dakahlia and Gharbia”.

Click here to read the full report:Labor and Social Protest Index during February 2019

Labor and Social Protest Index during February 2019 word

Labor and Social Protest Index during February 2019 pdf

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What’s coming is more dangerous… A report on labor and social protests in Egypt during 2018

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Report:Labor & Social protests Index in May 2018

or: Labor & Social protests Index in April 2018

or: Labor & Social protests Index in March 2018

or: Labor & Social protests Index in February 2018

or: Labor & Social protests Index in January 2018