in 2005 abbas criticized the negotiations in the esco workers' protest. he noted that clause 69 of the labor contract, which stipulated workers could be fired if they fail to perform "essential duties", was broad enough to permit random firings. abbas also criticized requirements that protests be approved by the general federation of trade unions (gftu). he said, "workers go on strike to improve their material conditions. they are not staging a play. they are not rehearsing for some media circus. and they should not be forced to strike within the straitjacket of a preset timetable. this defeats the purpose of the strike because it limits the workers' bargaining power."