One of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi’s sons has dropped the offer for a government job after media accusations of nepotism.
Omar Morsi announced he would forego a human resources post with the Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation on Sunday.
The firm is affiliated with the country’s civil aviation ministry, reports Reuters .
The decision shows the growing affect that independent media has in the new Egypt for holding its officials accountable. The country ousted former President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.
It is believed that Mubarak was grooming his son, Gamal, to succeed him. Gamal, a businessman, and his brother Alaa are currently in jail. They are awaiting trial on corruption and illegal land dealings charges.
Captain Magdi Abdel-Hadi, the head of Egypt’s holding company for airports and aviation, denied the nepotism charges. Abdel-Hadi stated that his starting monthly salary would not been $5,000, according to ABC News . Instead, the starting wage would actually be $133 per month (900 Egyptian pounds).
He added that Omar Morsi went through regular procedures to apply for the position, which was advertised internally. He was required to pass English and computer exams to qualify for the position.
A starting salary for a government job in the country is as low as $75. A $5,000 per month figure would be unheard of for new graduates.
Activists protested the potential job for Morsi’s son, saying that millions have been jobless for years, so the president’s son should not have priority. They threatened to protest outside the civil aviation ministry should the president’s son take the job.
Omar Morsi wrote on his Facebook page that he would not take the position. He stated:
“I took a test for the position knowing I would be attacked and rumors and lies would be spread about me … Yet I chose not to complete the paperwork to take up this position. The question remains ‘How can I find a job in my dear country Egypt?’ “
Do you think Morsi’s son should take up the job, despite protests, or are the people right to be upset about Omar’s potential job?