Rights lawyer Khaled Ali criticized the newly elected president Mohamed Morsi for choosing to hold meetings with several of Egypt's businessmen while ignoring workers demands and protests ongoing now for days.

Ali, who ran for the presidency in the last elections, is known for his legal work defending labour rights. He made his statements during a rally and Ramadan iftar attended by workers, trade union leaders and party members in Mahala on Saturday.  

The leftist lawyer added that Morsi should pay attention to the problems of the Mahala workers who have played an important role since 2006 together with Kifaya movement in triggering the protest wave that ultimately led to the ouster of Mubarak.  

Ali further stressed the importance of uniting workers demands and focusing on cleansing the holding company of corrupt managers.

Workers of the Mahala Spinning and Weaving Company, the largest textile mill in the country, have been on strike since July 15 demanding better working conditions and the ouster of the holding company's corrupt managers.