Dozens of security and cleaning staff at Luxor General Hospital began an open-ended strike on Tuesday morning to demand the payment of their salaries.

The strikers threatened to block the international freeway if their salaries are not paid immediately.

With a monthly income of only LE400 per month and no bonuses, the late payment of salaries causes serious hardship, the strikers said.

Labour activists have long been campaigning for a decent minimum wage of around LE1,200 per month.

Egypt has been witnessing a wave of strikes for higher wages and better living conditions over the last five years.