The early retirement programme is facing problems of a different sort, however. For even when the workers do opt for early retirement compensation, the government does not seem to have sufficient funds to pay up. A case in point is the Misr-Helwan Spinning and Weaving Company, where over 2,000 workers signed up for the plan and, as yet, have not received compensation. Rashed is nonplussed, however. It is not like we were talking about regular retirement.
Early retirement is an optional benefit.
The important thing is that no worker be thrown out on the street. If it takes time to implement the programme, so be it. There is no rush. The trade union leader was adamant, however, that GFTU would not accept the lowering of the minimum age for early retirement. We feel that such an idea would jeopardise workers' rights.