Egypt bankers, police walkout

EGYPT: Egyptian bank employees and policemen have staged walkouts to demand pay rises and better working conditions after former President Hosni Mubarak was ousted.

“Employees are demanding higher salaries,” Deputy Central Bank Governor Hisham Ramez was quoted as saying by Reuters Sunday.

The bank workers have also demanded corrupt managers to be removed from the banking system. They also want an official probe into former ruling National Democratic Party’s alleged involvement in bribery.

Egyptian transition Government, knowing about the strike has announced Monday a holiday for the state banks. Financial operations in Egypt were disrupted following the closure of nearly all banks as pro-democracy demonstrations were intensified. Tarek Amer, state-owned National Bank of Egypt Chairman resigned Sunday after outraged staff blocked the way to his office.

Thousands of Egyptian police have reportedly held a demonstration outside the Interior Ministry in Cairo demanding better pay and healthcare benefits.

The Egyptian military that assumed power following Mubarak’s ouster has dissolved the Parliament and suspended the constitution.

Cairo, Monday, Press TV