Original statement in Arabic is here.
Egyptian independent trade unionists’ declaration
Cairo, 19 February 2011
Revolution – Freedom – Social Justice
Demands of the workers in the revolution
O heroes of the 25 January revolution! We, workers and trade unionists from different workplaces which have seen strikes, occupations and demonstrations by hundreds of thousands of workers across Egypt during the current period, feel it is right to unite the demands of striking workers that they may become an integral part of the goals of our revolution, which the people of Egypt made, and for which the martyrs shed their blood. We present to you a workers’ program which brings together our just demands, in order to reaffirm the social aspect of this revolution and to prevent the revolution being taken away from at its base who should be its beneficiaries.
The workers’ demands which we raised before the 25 January revolution and were part of the prelude to this glorious revolution are:
1. Raising the national minimum wage and pension, and a narrowing of the gap between minimum and maximum wages so that the maximum is no more than 15 times the minimum in order to achieve the principle of social justice which the revolution gave birth to; payment of unemployment benefit, and a regular increment which will increase with rising prices.
2. The freedom to organize independent trade unions without conditions or restrictions, and the protection of trade unions and their leaders.
3. The right of manual workers and clerical workers, peasant farmers and professionals, to job security and protection from dismissal. Temporary workers must be made permanent, and dismissed workers to be returned to their jobs. We must do away with all excuses for employing workers on temporary contracts.
4. Renationalization of all privatized enterprises and a complete stop to the infamous privatization program which wrecked our national economy under the defunct regime
5. * Complete removal of corrupt managers who were imposed on companies in order to run them down and sell them off.
* Curbing the employment of consultants who are past the age of retirement and who eat up 3 billion of the national income, in order to open up employment opportunities for the young.
* Return to the enforcement of price controls on goods and services in order to keep prices down and not to burden the poor.
6. The right of Egyptian workers to strike, organize sit-ins, and demonstrate peacefully, including those striking now against the remnants of the failed regime, those who were imposed on their companies in order to run them down prior to a sell-off. It is our opinion that if this revolution does not lead to the fair distribution of wealth it is not worth anything. Freedoms are not complete without social freedoms. The right to vote is naturally dependent on the right to a loaf of bread.
7. Health care is a necessary condition for increasing production
8. Dissolution of the Egyptian Trade Union Federation which was one of the most important symbols of corruption under the defunct regime. Execution of the legal judgments issued against it and seizure of its financial assets and documents. Seizure of the assets of the leaders of the ETUF and its member unions and their investigation.
Signed:
Employee of the Meteorological Office, Ahmad Kamal Salah
Health Technicians Union, Hossam Muhammad Abdallah Ali
Nurse, Sayyida Al-Sayyid Muhammad Fayiz
Al-Fayyum Sugar Refinery, Ashraf Abd al-Wanis
Omar Effendi Department Store, Abd-al-Qadir Mansur
Future Pipes Co, 6th October City, Hafiz Nagib Muhammad
Egypt – Helwan Textiles Co., Muhammad Hassan
Tora Cement, Mahmud Abd-al-Munsaf Al-Alwani
Egyptian Commercial Pharmaceutical Co., Ali Mahmud Nagi
Hawamidiyya Sugar Refinery, Omar Muhammad Abd-al-Aziz
Egyptian Pharmaceuticals, Muhammad Galal
Suez Fertilisers Co., Shazli Sawi Shazli
Military Factory No.45, Muhammad Ibrahim Hassan
Military Factory No. 999, Wasif Musa Wahba
General Transport Authority, Gamil Fathi Hifni
Cairo General Contractors, Adil Abd-al-Na’im
Al-Qanah Rope Co., Port Sa’id, Ali Hassan Abu Aita
Information Center, Hind Abd-al-Gawad Ibrahim
Information Center, Hamada Abu-Zaid
Information Center, Muhammad Khairy Zaid
General Authority for Cultural Centers, Hatim Salah Sayyid
National Postal Authority, Muhammad Abd-al-Hakim
International Ibex Co., Ahmad Islam
Military Factory 99, Tariq Sayyid Mahmud
Military Factory 999, Nabil Mahmud
Trade unionist, Mahmud Shukri
Military Factory 999, Ahmad Faruq
Military Factory 999, Osama Al-Sayyid
Future Pipe Industries, Yasir Al-Sayyid Ibrahim
Tannery workers, Mahmud Ali Ahmad
Future Pipe Industries, Abd-al-Rasul Abd-al-Ghani
Omar Effendi Department Store, Ali Al-Sayyid
Property Tax Collectors (RETAU), Kamal Abu Aita
Property Tax Collectors (RETAU), Ahmad Abd-al-Sabur
Property Tax Collectors (RETAU), Salah Abd-al-Hamid
Property Tax Collectors (RETAU), Mahmud Umar
Worker, Khalid Galal Muhammad
Petrotrade Co., Muhammad Zaki Isma’il
Suez Canal Co., Saud Omar
Suez Fertilizers Co., Kamal el-Banna
We watch your struggle closely and hope it catches on her in the “free” USA. We need a equalitarian society worldwide to end the explotation of man by man and save the earth for the future.
Your actions are an inspiration to those here who have been feed endless years of imperialist propaganda while the society collapses around us. The future is yours and ours. We need to free our class-war prisoners with Mumia Abu-Jamal our most important one but there are many, many more here in the U.S. imprisoned for decades because they dared stand-up the U.S. beast.
Yours for a Workers Government, A Socialist World and Freedom Now for All Class-War Prisoners!
Comrades and Fellow Workers,
I am inspired by your struggles and wish you every success.
Bruce Allen
Vice-President
Canadian Autoworkers Local 199
St. Catharines, Ontario
Canada
Don’t stop organizing at the borders of Egypt. All the workers of the World are with you in this.
We are truly indebted by your courageous actions. Because of your successes thus far, here in New York city more and more people want to learn about your struggles and become a part of a movement that will also, eventually, topple our corrupt system here. You’ve vindicated the concept that revolutionary struggle today is still possible and necessary to really begin to change things effectively. Like the friend above said, know that workers around the world support you. Though the struggle is far from over, praises to all of you for your fervor, bravery and unity you’ve maintained throughout. SOLIDARITY & KEEP PERSEVERING!