An employee in Indorama, a textile manufacturer in Menoufiya, tried to set himself on fire this morning in protest against an increase in working hours.

The worker, 41-year-old Ahmed Magawy Youssef, was angry that the company had moved him from Section 7 in the factory, which had two shifts, to another section that had three shifts, against the terms of contract that forbids transferring employees to sections with different salaries and skill requirements.

Youssef tried to set himself on fire by pouring a bottle of alcohol on himself and lighting it, but was saved by colleagues who quickly put out the fire.

The plant used to be run by Misr Shebin El-Kom Spinning and Weaving Company, a state-owned company, before being acquired by Indorama.

The head of the company’s administrative sector denied that a decision was made to transfer Youssef.

Earlier in the day, police forces prevented and arrested an Egyptian man from setting himself ablaze in front of the Egyptian parliament today morning. The man was identified as Saeed Abou Amany, a civil servant.

At least six Egyptians have set themselves on fire in Cairo and Alexandria since Monday, protesting unemployment and living conditions in the country.