Tag: mahalla

Solidarity needed from international labor activists

Posted on By 3arabawy

During my phone conversations with the strike leaders and activists inside the company, they always ask me if “the people in America and the world have heard about the strike”? I tell them I and others are doing our best to spread the word… but that’s not enough.

Labor activists reading this, the Mahalla workers are asking for your solidarity. This is the biggest textile mill in the Middle East. Whatever happens in that factory could have a huge impact on the industrial struggle in the country and the rest of the region.

Any statements of solidarity from your labor unions and organizations would be very much appreciated. Please send them to me, and I’ll make sure they will reach the strikers.

Mahalla strike ‘illegal,’ says govt

Posted on By 3arabawy

Journalist friends called up Labor Minister Aisha Abdel Hadi’s office and the General Federation for Textile Workers.. and they were told by both govt entities (yes including the union which is run by Mubarak’s NDP) that the strike is “illegal.”

This is a green light for the police to move against the strikers.

Solidarity protests with the Mahalla strikers

Posted on By 3arabawy

The strike is still going on, and the workers are steadfast. There are unconfirmed reports that the corrupt head of the state-sponsored Factory Union Committee has been hospitalized after the workers taught him a lesson.

I’m receiving also more reports from comrades in different locations. Workers For Change mobilized for a demonstration yesterday at the South Giza Grain Mills, in solidarity with the Mahalla strikers. There was HEAVY security presence, as State Security agents were literally everywhere in the factory, to prevent the demo turning into a strike.

Solidarity protests are expected in Kafr el-Dawar pretty soon.