Egypt industrial authority head denies suspension, confirms investigation

Ahram Online, Tuesday 15 Nov 2011

Hany El-Ghazaly says he is still performing regular duties, despite investigations into alleged violations in his working practices

The executive head of Egypt's Industrial Modernisation Centre (IMC) has denied reports he has been suspended from his position while under investigation for violating administrative and financial rules.

In a statement to Ahram's Arabic-language portal on Tuesday afternoon, Hany El-Ghazaly said he is still performing his normal duties in his office, despite the ongoing investigations.
 
Earlier on Tuesday, Egypt's Minister of Industry and Trade, Mahmoud Issa, said El-Ghazaly had been suspended while under investigation for irregularities in the running of the IMC, as well as raising his own monthly salary to LE70,000 (US$11,600). El-Ghazaly was appointed in March, after his predecessor was removed due to similar claims about his work performance.
 
Last month, Issa set a maximum salary for employees in organisations that are dependent on his ministry like the IMC. He asked the centre's administration for a list of employees on salaries of over LE20,000 per month.
 
In his Tuesday statement, El-Ghazaly said he has refused to implement directives on wage-cuts and is awaiting results from a Cabinet study before taking any action on the issue.
 
He also sent a letter to Issa claiming he retains all his legal rights after the change in his salary, as it is considered a unilateral amendment to his contract with the government.
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