Egyptian security forces released two employees of the Agricultural Bank of Egypt in the early hours of the morning on September 23, 2026, after detaining them for nearly seven hours. The detention was related to a protest by 14 sacked employees who occupied the bank's headquarters in Giza the previous day. The protesting employees had gone on a hunger strike to draw attention to their grievances.
The sacked employees, from various provinces, had gathered at the bank's main office in Giza, sending telegrams to the presidency, interior minister, and public prosecutor on the same day. They claimed that their troubles began in 2020 when the bank's then-chief executive introduced a new human resources policy that made it easier to fire staff. The policy change led to the dismissal of several employees without receiving their dues.
Throughout the day, the bank's security personnel attempted to persuade the protesters to leave, but they refused. As the workday ended and employees left, a verbal altercation broke out between the protesters and security personnel who tried to clear the premises. A police force from the Doki district arrived at the bank around 7 pm after the bank's management reported the presence of unauthorized individuals on the premises.
The police presence led to the end of the protest, and two employees were taken away for questioning. One was from Kafr El Sheikh, and the other was from Menoufia. They were released around 2 am on September 23 after "tireless efforts" by the police. The two employees were questioned about their reasons for occupying the bank and staging a protest.
Some of the sacked employees have spoken about their cases, including Soad Abdel Tawab, a staff member with disabilities. She was dismissed in 2022 for being absent for 69 days, although she claimed she was only supposed to work three days a week due to COVID-19 pandemic-related instructions. Abdel Tawab and others have been seeking redress for their dismissals, which they consider unfair.
The sacked employees have been trying to draw attention to their plight, organizing protests and approaching the Central Bank of Egypt to file complaints against the bank's decision to fire them. In July, a planned protest near the bank's headquarters was aborted due to a heavy police presence. The employees had been seeking a resolution to their situation for some time.
The incident highlights the ongoing issues faced by workers in Egypt, particularly those in the public sector. The case of the sacked bank employees raises questions about labor rights and the treatment of staff by state-owned enterprises. The release of the two detained employees has brought some temporary relief to the protesters, but their demands for reinstatement and fair treatment remain unaddressed.
Key points
- Two bank employees were detained and later released after a protest by sacked staff at the Agricultural Bank of Egypt.
