Operations disrupted as touch and Alfa employees stage strike

The employees of state-run mobile network operators Alfa and touch began a strike on Friday morning, which resulted in the closure of all of the two companies’ stores and disrupted bill payment services and the distribution of recharge cards.

A technical malfunction also hit a key station in the Corniche el-Nahr area and was not repaired due to the strike.

The employees also staged a sit-in outside Alfa’s headquarters in Furn el-Chebbak ahead of a Cabinet session that is expected to discuss the issue of hiking telecom tariffs.

The employees are calling for “an improvement in their living conditions amid the suffocating economic crisis” and for “their rights that are stipulated in their contracts,” the National News Agency said.

They are also calling on officials to take urgent steps to “secure the continuity of the sector and their job security.”

Telecommunications Minister Johnny Corm had warned Thursday that Cabinet has a “last chance” to save the telecom sector from collapse in Friday's session, warning that his resignation will be on the table if no action is taken.