The interim Egyptian government confirmed yesterday that it will recognise existing laws allowing lateness, unauthorised absence or general drops in productivity amongst the workforce to be blamed on 'our friend Mr Cohen - you know, the Israeli'.
'This is a great relief for the workers' said union rep Abu Mahmoud, arriving half an hour late for the press conference because of 'Jews on the
line' near Helwan metro station. 'Since Mossad ate my homework at the age of 15 the elders of Zion have made my life very hard, and the government should continue to recognise that. I can never find my car keys'.
However, company bosses are calling for a change in the law, arguing that some unions already stretch credibility. 'I have no problem blaming shadowy international metropoles when things go wrong,' said a factory owner, 'but last week my foreman told me the machines broke down because of ' West Hamsptead Synagogue'. What is that?'
Others called for complete scrapping of the law. 'Blaming everything on Tel Aviv, London and Washington is so out of date' said a director. 'We need a new unseen hand. Like Bejing. Or Simon Cowell.'