It’s happening…
Around an hour and half ago, according to an activist inside the factory I’ve just called, thousands of workers at Ghazl el-Mahalla started a strike, demanding 150-day shares of annual profits, improving industrial safety, raising the monthly bonuses. The strike started by 10,000 workers, and the numbers as I’m writing have gone up to 15,000. The total labor force (divided among three daily shifts) in the factory borders 27,000. The numbers of strikers are expected to rise in the coming few hours. The factory is under police siege.
My heart and thoughts go out to the Mahalla strikers.
Brothers and Sisters,
I am a teacher in the United States and I wish you all the best in your struggle.
In solidarity,
Steve Cohen
Thanks a lot Steve for your solidarity. It would be great if you can circulate information about the strike among your peers and contacts. We need to draw more international attention to the strikers in the Nile Delta.
Warmest regards,
Hossam
Dear comrades,
I am writing a letter of support from National Education and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU), a large transformative union that has just led an historic strike in the South African Public Service. This strike was unprecedented in the history of SA with more than 17 million work days lost. One million workers withheld their labor power for 31 days to win improvements in wages and conditions of service. What had informed our strike was the implementation of neo-liberal attacks on public services which had degarded quality public service delivery to the South African masses.
We not only support you in this heroic labor struggle but understand the reality of political repression and the difficulties that workers are experieincing in Egypt to exercise their democratic rights to organize, associate and strike.
It has come to our attention that there is an annual Cairo conference and if it is possible please keep us posted on these developments as we would like to participate in this progressive African forum held in the spirit of anti-imerialism and international solidarity.
An injury to one is an injury to all.
Workers united will never be defeated and we send you this message of solidarity in struggle.
Guy Slingsby
Nehawu researcher in organising
Dear all!
we are labor studies research unit in South Africa. We are with you on this! Rest assured, we will be passing on the message of your cause!