Egyptian workers launch national strikes demanding better compensations

Thousands of Egyptian workers went on strike Thursday to demand better compensation, adding pressure on a government staunchly resisting massive protests calling for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.

Workers in various sectors launched strikes nationwide, including employees in the petroleum, railway and telecommunication industries. About 2,000 workers are on strike in the petroleum sector, said Hamdi Abdel-Aziz, a spokesman for the petroleum ministry, according to CNN.

A committee of judges and legal scholars appointed by Mr. Mubarak agreed Wednesday to propose six constitutional amendments and said further articles could also be changed.

But Egypt's banned Muslim Brotherhood, which broke ranks with the opposition to meet with Mr. Suleiman, rejected what it said were half-measures by the regime, Voice of America informs.