The closure of Ceramica Al Omaraa in 10th of Ramadan City entered its fifth day on Monday, affecting its two factories, La Beauté and Majestic, after the gas supply was cut off due to mounting debt.
The shutdown threatens the livelihoods of nearly 3,000 workers, some of whom told Al Manassa they are “paying for the company’s debts with their children’s bread.”
A worker, speaking to Al Manassa on condition of anonymity, said gas company technicians closed the valves and cut off the supply five days ago, completely halting production at both La Beauté and Majestic.
According to the worker, the technicians had visited about 10 days earlier, and workers had pleaded with them to delay the shutdown to give management time to reach a debt settlement with the gas company. However, the administration had vanished from the scene entirely when the cutoff took place.
The next day, management suspended company transport and instructed employees to stay home until further notice. “No one told us if this is paid leave or not, or when the problem will be resolved,” the worker added.
A source close to the company’s management disclosed to Al Manassa that Ceramica Al Omaraa owes over 100 million Egyptian pounds (around $2 million) to the gas utility, with additional debts to the electricity company.
According to them, the company has no repayment strategy, not even installment plans.
The source added that the management instructed workers to post pleas on social media and appeal to top government officials, including the president, prime minister, and ministers of petroleum and industry. The goal, the source claimed, was to frame the plea as a grassroots initiative led by workers.
Another worker told Al Manassa that many of the workers supported calling for government intervention to restore gas service, as their livelihoods depend on factory operations.
However, they reject being held accountable for debts they did not incur, especially with the owner “making billions over the years”, according to the worker.
He also cited shared concerns over the May wage if the shutdown drags on. “Eid Al-Adha is around the corner. What are we supposed to tell our kids if we don't get our wages? That they won't celebrate like everyone else?” he said.
He added that the greater fear is a prolonged closure or partial shutdown that could result in layoffs.
Workers at La Beauté and Majestic had recently secured a 1,000-pound raise (around $20), paid in two installments over the past two months. This decision followed a series of protests demanding wage adjustments—the most recent of which took place in January, when La Beauté workers staged a protest calling for salary increases and an end to downsizing plans.
In 2018, La Beauté workers staged a three-week strike calling for higher wages. Several employees were arrested at home during that period, allegedly to pressure others into ending the work stoppage.
