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Al-Ahram Weekly
6 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Justice without extra fees - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
A statement issued by the Bar Association has demanded the immediate repeal of what it described as 'the unconstitutional decision' issued by the heads of the Courts of Appeal, imposing unprecedented fees on citizens for a number of litigation procedures. Issued in April, the association's statement also noted that the value imposed on fees was excessive, 'becoming a burden on litigants and an obstacle to their right to litigation. This represents a violation of the constitutional obligation that litigation be a protected and guaranteed right for all,' the statement said. The crisis of the higher court fees began on 1 March when successive fees were imposed on a number of litigation procedures. The decisions were followed by successive increases in fees from entities deemed other than those authorised by law and the constitution. 'This represented a violation of constitutional, legal frameworks, and the limits of the constitution and the law,' Ali Suleiman, a former unionist and a lawyer since 1990, told Al-Ahram Weekly. Suleiman said that over the past two years, lawyers have been taken aback by a gradual increase in court fees. However, in 2025, the Council of Presidents of the Courts of Appeal decided to impose exaggerated fees. Court fees are subject to a law related to the establishment of courts and must be paid before filing any lawsuit. What further fuelled the lawyers' protests, represented by the syndicate, was the approval of a LE33 fee for each page submitted in the case document portfolios. The same amount was also imposed for obtaining any computerised document from the court. A LE5 review stamp was added for every paper in a case file. 'According to the Egyptian constitution, no fees may be imposed except pursuant to a law issued by the House of Representatives. Accordingly, the decision of the Council of Appeal Courts is unconstitutional,' Suleiman added. What further caused discontent from lawyers by the decisions was the State Council's rulings in 2003 to abolish the Council of Presidents of the Courts of Appeal, arguing that the council has no legal basis. Accordingly, all decisions issued by it are null and void, according to Ahmed Fouad, secretary-general of the Helwan Branch of the Bar Association. The fact that fees in some cases reach up to LE5,000 and do not go to the Ministry of Justice but to the Judges' Fund for the Courts of Appeal, is unconstitutional and unacceptable, according to Suleiman. He added that these fees stand in the way of achieving justice within society. Fouad adds that even workers and personal status cases are subject to payment of litigation fees, even though they had been exempted since 1929. Fouad points out that in 2009, the Ministry of Justice submitted a draft law to the House of Representatives to increase litigation fees. This led to a 20-day sit-in by lawyers at the syndicate, after which the draft law was withdrawn. This time around, according to Fouad, there has been no response to the demands of lawyers. He said members of the General Assembly of Lawyers continued their strike on 18 and 19 May in implementation of the decision to boycott sessions before all criminal courts nationwide. This was in compliance with the decision of the General Bar Council and branch syndicates to oppose the decision. The Bar Association affirms that violators of the strike will be referred to disciplinary action, suspended from practising the profession, and all union services will be suspended. The strike was not the first action announced by the Bar Association. It was preceded by several escalating measures, including staging protests in front of courthouses to express their opposition, boycotting the treasuries of the Courts of Appeal and their offices nationwide, boycotting all court treasuries, and preventing the payment of fees. A press conference was also held to inform the public of the consequences of the increase in litigation fees. The measures were taken by the Bar Association after it had attempted to communicate with decision-makers but with no response. The strike was part of an escalation of measures against the increase in fees. The general assemblies of the sub-syndicates held a one-hour protest in front of all primary courts nationwide on 29 May and 18 June. It also called on the General Assembly of Lawyers to convene to take whatever action it deems appropriate in this regard on 21 June at the syndicate headquarters on Ramses Street in Cairo. However, the Administrative Judiciary cancelled the meeting. But that has not derailed the Bar Association. It carried out a survey, which revealed that 21,000 of its members agreed to hold a general strike on 7-8 July, whereby they will boycott court proceedings across the country and refrain from making any payments at court treasuries. The Bar Association stressed that these procedures will take place without infraction on citizens' rights. * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
7 days ago
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
A healthier lifestyle made easy - Living - Al-Ahram Weekly
More and more ways are now available to help women lose weight and stay healthy while navigating their daily chores. Losing weight and maintaining a regular exercise routine can be a challenge for many women, particularly for those juggling careers, marriage, and motherhood. The process can feel more manageable when done collectively, such as through a weight loss competition that offers incentive prizes to participants. At a women-only gym in Egypt, a weight loss competition is held in the form of a three-month camp attended by dozens of women. Participants are grouped into teams according to their weight category of over 100 kg, under 100 kg, and around 80 kg. In addition to exercising four times a week, they attend lectures on nutrition and psychology, which help them plan balanced meals and build healthier habits. The registration fee is LE5,000. The first-place winner receives the full amount as a prize, the second-place winner receives half, and the third-place winner receives 25 per cent. Mai, in her mid-30s, works as a teacher at a private school in Cairo and is a wife and the mother of four, including an infant. She recently participated in one of the competitions. 'I gained a lot of weight after giving birth to my youngest daughter and fell into a deep depression. I would drive home from work crying and eating chocolate in the car. I felt completely overwhelmed by the responsibilities and expectations placed on me,' she said. 'I saw an ad for the gym on Facebook, and it motivated me to start thinking about myself for a change. As a working woman, I started to prepare meals for the whole week on my day off and coordinate my own food plans with my family. I worked hard at the gym and eventually lost 18 kg, which was an incredible achievement for me.' 'Given the many responsibilities women shoulder and the sacrifices they are expected to make for their family, they often neglect their own well-being. This is why these competitions are incredibly important and incentivising,' Mai added. Another women-only gym approaches competitions differently. It allows participants to earn points for losing excess body fat, which can then be redeemed for discounts on future memberships or prizes. Iman, the gym's manager, said that 'we are committed to encouraging women to join the gym to improve their lifestyle and overall health through various approaches. Anyone who loses weight earns points that can be used to win prizes or receive membership discounts. We also offer a one-year installment plan and provide a personal trainer at no extra cost.' Some women are unable to leave their homes, however, though they too need to maintain a healthy diet. 'I have two children, the oldest of whom is under five,' Nermine said. 'My husband works abroad, and I can't go out without my kids. I'm unable to go to the gym or even walk around a track, and this caused me to gain weight.' 'I stumbled upon the 40-day online camp. At first, I was sceptical about how effective it would be, but I decided to give it a try,' she said. At the start of the programme, Nermine answered an extensive questionnaire covering weight, height, age, marital status, eating habits, sources of stress, and medical history. She was also asked to undergo specific tests, including a complete blood count, glycated hemoglobin, and insulin resistance screening, along with body measurements of her chest, waist, and hips. The follow-up process involved joining a WhatsApp group of around 50 women. A nutritionist provided three tailored diet plans: one for women weighing over 100 kg, another for those between 80 and 100 kg, and a third for those under 80 kg. Each plan included a simple exercise routine designed for the specific weight category and could be followed at home. 'I was required to document everything I ate each day and share it with the group. The nutritionist would then review and comment on my meals. I felt compelled to stick to the plan no matter what, just to avoid criticism in front of others,' Nermine said. 'I managed to lose eight kg without medication, deprivation, or the suffering usually associated with dieting. Now, I'm looking forward to the next challenge to continue my fitness journey and reach my ideal weight.' Amira Ahmed, a therapeutic nutritionist, said that the camp experience yields better results than private consultations. She finds group settings more motivating, as a collective spirit prevails and participants encourage one another. However, for her running the camp requires more effort than individual follow-ups, as she needs to simultaneously monitor 50 women over the 40-day programme. She tracks each participant's progress, reviews their food diaries, and remains available to offer nutritional alternatives. The participants must share their daily f ood intake in the WhatsApp group. Before each meal, two cups of water should be consumed. At lunchtime, food should be eaten in the following order: salad first, then protein, and then followed by carbohydrates such as rice or pasta. Sugar intake should be limited to a maximum of three teaspoons, or two teaspoons of honey, and preferably avoided altogether. In Ahmed's programme, the participants are advised to avoid excessive salt in their diets and to steer clear of pickles. Soup is also discouraged. If consumed, it should be free of vermicelli, noodles, and fat. Vegetables should be cooked minimally, preferably steamed or eaten raw, while fried foods, fast food, and all types of carbonated drinks should be avoided. Ahmed's dietary plan follows a 12-hour eating window. Meals should be consumed within 30 minutes, with thorough chewing and the use of a small spoon to encourage slower, more mindful eating. Exercise is important, but in case of injuries, a 30-minute walk is recommended. One of the most common challenges reported by women is the craving for sugary foods, particularly during the menstrual cycle. Nutritionists and weight-loss experts acknowledge this and stress that healthy eating should not mean deprivation. As a result, they offer a variety of nutritious dessert recipes that allow participants to enjoy sweet treats while staying on track. For example, chocolate desserts can be made using coconut oil, raw cocoa, and natural sweeteners like stevia or honey. Another option includes a simple cake made with two eggs, a cup of yoghurt, a spoonful of starch, and stevia or honey, topped with fruit and baked in the oven. Banana lovers can enjoy a dessert made from two bananas, white honey, sesame seeds, and coconut, baked for 10 minutes. Another alternative is a coconut chocolate treat made with raw cocoa and honey, or a yoghurt and date cake sweetened naturally with dates instead of sugar. To replace white flour, rice cakes are recommended as a filling snack that can be enjoyed in both sweet and savoury forms. Some nutritionists also recommend chocolate hummus – roasted chickpeas blended with raw cocoa and honey – or homemade popcorn made in a covered pot using corn kernels. Cairo coach Noha also introduces creative and engaging ways to help women incorporate exercise into their daily routines. For instance, she suggests doing glute exercises while frying potatoes, or shoulder exercises while folding laundry. She offers alternatives to gym workouts, including the use of resistance bands or a simple jump rope, saving time and money while allowing women to stay active at home. * A version of this article appears in print in the 3 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Egypt Independent
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Independent
Court sentences Egyptian director Mohamed Sami to two months in prison
A court has sentenced Egyptian director Mohamed Sami to two months in prison over assaulting the manager of a car maintenance center, the state-run Al-Ahram newspaper reported on Saturday. The Sheikh Zayed Misdemeanor Court in Giza ruled to imprison Sami following a brawl which occurred because 'the director accused the workers at the center of damaging his car.' The court also ruled to fine the manager of the maintenance center LE5,000. A fistfight broke out between Sami and the manager of a car maintenance center in Sheikh Zayed, after the director accused workers of damaging his car, which was estimated to be worth LE10 million (about US$200,000). The manager of the maintenance center said during investigations that Sami brought his car in and asked for window tinting films to be installed. However, when he came to receive his vehicle he then accused the workers of having damaged his car, causing a verbal altercation to break out. The manager added that he intervened to put an end to the argument and tried to explain that the car was not damaged, only for Sami to punch him in the face and injure his eye. Sami is supervising the direction of two projects for this upcoming Ramadan drama season, which include 'Esh Esh' starring his wife, actress Mai Omar, along with Maged el-Masry and Hala Sedky, and the series 'Sayed el-Nas' starring Amr Saad and Elham Shaheen.
Mada
05-02-2025
- Business
- Mada
Strike at Egyptian-Chinese drilling company over salaries, bonuses
Workers on permanent contracts at the Egyptian-Chinese Drilling Company (ECDC) in Suez's Ain Sokhna staged a strike on Wednesday, demanding salary adjustments, the release of stalled bonuses, profit-sharing, higher allowances, a transparent promotion policy and better healthcare benefits, a striking worker told Mada Masr. The source, who has been with the company for 18 years, said that the factory operates a single 12-hour shift starting at 8 am. All permanent employees — laborers, administrative staff and engineers — have joined the strike to demand wage increases in line with salary brackets in the petroleum sector. According to the source, the striking workers earn LE5,000-LE7,000 in base pay, with an average total salary of LE10,000, unchanged since 2023. The company's Chinese management has since refused to raise wages for permanently employed staff while approving pay hikes for seconded employees who have been with the company for less than a year, the source said. In 2022, the company announced job openings for secondment contracts from other firms in the petroleum sector. The source noted that the company frequently outsources labor by calling for workers via subcontractors, who supply laborers on a shift basis depending on operational needs. Workers view the practice as a way for the company to avoid committing to pay raises for full-time staff. Striking workers are also demanding the disbursement of annual bonus, which have been paused since 2023. Other demands include disbursing unpaid entitlements from the National Petroleum Day grant and an increase in healthcare benefits for employees and their families, which have been capped at LE4,000 since 2007 despite medical inflation. They are also seeking recognition of their right to end-of-service compensation. Additionally, workers are calling for a clear promotion policy, the implementation of a 15-percent increase in allowances paid on the basis of expertise and output specialization — which was approved by the board in 2023 but never implemented — and the disbursement of all bonuses mandated by the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC)'s regulations and directives. According to the source, ECDC management has repeatedly promised to address these demands over the years but consistently failed to follow through. In December, workers staged a protest and filed a complaint with the labor office only to receive yet another set of unfulfilled promises. In January, they escalated their grievances to the petroleum minister, but their complaint went unanswered, prompting their strike. The General Trade Union for Petroleum Workers reached out to the strikers, the worker said, promising to respond to their demands after discussions with the EGPC. Founded in 2007, ECDC specializes in the production of oil drilling equipment for both local and international markets. The Chinese partner holds a 50-percent stake in the company. In 2023, the company officially celebrated the transfer of manufacturing technology from China to Egypt and the production of Egypt's first locally made oil rig, backed by US$6.5 million in investments.
Mada
28-01-2025
- Business
- Mada
Authorities arrest 26 workers as thousands strike for fair pay at supplier for international brands
Authorities in Egypt arrested 26 people on Saturday who work for the east Cairo factories of T&C Garments, a Turkish-Egyptian clothing manufacturer that supplies goods to global brands including Levis, UNIQLO and Tommy Hilfiger. Around 6,000 employees at T&C Garments' Obour City complex began a strike for fairer wages at the beginning of the year. As the cost of living increases, they demand that the company increase bonuses, commissions and meal allowances for workers, who currently take home less than minimum wage per month. Four workers at the T&C Garments factory told Mada Masr on condition of anonymity that security forces arrested 26 of their colleagues from their homes over the weekend. Among those arrested was Ahmed Hassan Abdel Aziz from the Zawamel village in the Sharqiya Governorate, according to one of the company employees from the same village, who described authorities arresting his colleague from his home on Saturday evening. A larger group of police and Central Security Forces personnel is now stationed outside the factory premises in the Industrial Zone at Obour City, the sources said. Only workers from the packing, laundry and cutting departments were admitted to the premises for Sunday's shift at the company, which suspended daily transport into the industrial zone for night shift workers as soon as the strike began and did the same for morning shift workers in most departments shortly afterward. When workers arrived at the factory on Sunday, they gathered in the yard in front of the administration office, where they declared they would continue their strike until their demands were met. 'The company is trying to divide us to break the strike,' one worker told Mada Masr. T&C's executive manager presented an offer to the workers on Sunday, another laborer said. 'They offered us a 17 percent bonus increase, which we rejected. We want 50 percent.' The thousands of factory workers launched their strike on January 16, demanding a 50 percent increase in their annual bonus to cope with rising living costs, a raise in meal allowances from LE600 to LE1,200, an implementation of the minimum wage, permission for discretionary leave and paid public holidays, in accordance with the labor law. Workers at the company currently take home between LE4,000 and LE5,000 per month, substantially below the minimum wage for the private sector, which is set at LE6,000. Bonuses, which the laborers expected to receive in the third week of January, are also yet to be paid out, one worker said. They are also demanding that the company improve its on-site health clinic, which is poorly equipped and offers little more than painkillers, they say. Workers who fall ill or are injured on the job must seek treatment outside the company at their own expense, and if they have to take leave for health reasons, they are only paid a quarter of their daily wage, workers told Mada Masr last week. The strike is further calling for the dismissal of HR manager Mohamed Abdel Rahman for insulting workers. T&C Garments, a partnership between Egypt's Tolba Group and Turkey's Tay Group, manufactures ready-made clothing for well known brands, including Levis, UNIQLO and Tommy Hilfiger. The factory operates under the Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZ) agreement, a protocol established by the US in 1996 to build economic ties between Israel and its neighbors, which requires that Egyptian products include a 10.5 percent component to enter the US market. The company exports 70 percent of its production to the US and the rest to Europe.
