A group of workers from the Tebbinen water treatment plant in Cairo's Helwan district staged a protest on Wednesday, September 22, 2026, inside the administration building. They are demanding the payment of bonuses that have been owed to them since 2016. According to sources close to the matter, some workers had previously obtained court judgments for the payment of these bonuses, but the company has yet to implement them.
The protesting workers are also calling for an increase in allowances, such as the meal allowance, which currently stands at 150 Egyptian pounds per month. Sources indicate that a new group of workers from the maintenance sector have filed lawsuits against the company for refusing to pay their bonuses. This latest protest comes after a series of similar demonstrations were held at various branches of the company in recent months.
In June 2026, the Holding Company for Water and Wastewater announced the formation of a committee to study the legal, administrative, and financial aspects of the bonuses owed to employees. The move was in response to pressure from workers who had threatened to protest at several branches in Cairo. The General Union of Public Utility Workers, affiliated with the Egyptian Trade Union Federation, welcomed the announcement but emphasized that workers expect clear and fair results from the committee soon.
However, with no apparent progress from the committee, workers from various branches of the company called for a nationwide protest in July 2026. The protests, which took place at the company's headquarters and several branches, were met with promises from the company's chairman, Mostafa El-Shimy, to pay two bonuses and installments of the remaining bonuses over three years. Despite these assurances, workers claim that no concrete steps have been taken to address their concerns.
According to multiple sources within the company, over 15 workers have reported that no progress has been made regarding their delayed bonuses. In response, workers have launched new calls for simultaneous protests at various branches to demand payment of their owed bonuses. The protests highlight the ongoing struggles of workers in Egypt's public sector to secure their rights and benefits.
The issue of delayed bonuses has been discussed at the parliamentary level, with the Housing Committee of the Egyptian Parliament examining requests for information related to complaints from workers at the water company in May 2026. The committee heard that the company's salary structure contradicts the minimum wage regulations. The company's chairman cited financial and legal challenges, stating that the cost of incorporating the bonuses would exceed 4.5 billion Egyptian pounds, surpassing the company's current financial capabilities.
This is not the first time workers in the water sector have taken to the streets to demand their rights. Last year, workers from the Cairo Water Company staged synchronized protests at most branches, calling for several financial and job-related demands, including the payment of bonuses and the regularization of temporary workers. The protests eventually spread to other governorates, including Giza, Sharqia, Beni Suef, and Minya.
Key points
- Workers at Cairo's Tebbinen water treatment plant are protesting over delayed bonuses owed since 2016.
- The protesting workers are also calling for an increase in allowances.
- The issue of delayed bonuses has been discussed at the parliamentary level.
