Workers at the Cargill-owned National Vegetable Oils Company in Alexandria, Egypt, have been prevented from working since December 16 following a peaceful protest which began during the night shift on December 14. Initially put on compulsory extended leave, the workers have since been dismissed - in violation of Egyptian labour law...The workers put on compulsory leave remained in the plant until December 23, when they were forcibly removed by thugs with guard dogs. Since then they remain in the factory parking lot under conditions that resemble a state of siege: the guards and dogs remain and as of February 4, water and electricity were cut off and the workers were denied access to food and medicines.