Ikhwanweb :: The Muslim Brotherhood Official English Website

Mubarak slams opposition slogans, while failing to offer raises

President Mubarak's first address to the public after his gall-bladder surgery was laced with promises of him being by the workers side, however he failed to announce any real steps towards their demands for increased pay.

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President Mubarak's first address to the public after his gall-bladder surgery was laced with promises of him being by the workers side, however he failed to announce any real steps towards their demands for increased pay.

 

After 30 years in power, Mubarak faces growing resentment by his people where rapid economic growth has not reached many among the millions of working poor.

 

The last month, has witnessed workers and opposition including support by the Muslim Brotherhood and their parliamentary members, uniting in protests demanding increased pay, and political reform with constitutional amendments and the elimination of the 'emergency law'. Opposition called for the election restrictions to be lifted and freedom in nomination for the upcoming elections.

 

Regardless of protests, Mubarak had confirmed there would be no changes to the constitution describing it as triggering chaos in the country.

 

Despite Mubarak's claims that the MB is officially banned and  seen as too weak to pose a real challenge, his security apparatus have been kept busy with raid campaigns against the group and detentions. Mohamed ElBaradei, the former head of the UN atomic energy agency, has also left the 82 year old President anxious with his emergence and support of the MB call for modification.

 

Mubarak reiterated that raised slogans by opposition are not enough to win voters trust stressing that they will have to convince the nation with answers. The statement however was not followed by explanations to appease the workers who have demanded raises

 

Records reveal that Egypt ’s economy grew strongly in recent years, nevertheless a fifth of Egyptians are believed to live on less than $1 a day and rely on the state for subsidized bread and fuel. Many Egyptians believe that growth has mainly benefited the business elite and according to UN figures, per capita income was about $1,788 in 2007.