Tag: strikes

“It’s a scene, which I find no words to describe with”

Posted on By 3arabawy

I received a message from a Socialist journalist and comrade who is reporting on the Mahalla strikers. Here’s an English translation of some excerpts just to give you an idea what the mood is like there…

After the first day of the strike and sit-in, the picture inside the factory is really amazing. 10,000 people breaking the fast together in Talaat Harb Sq, located inside the company compound. It’s a scene, which I find no words to describe with.
The government has started to present some compromises via the head of the Factory Union Committee Seddiq Siyam, in exchange for disbanding the strike. But the stupid forgot he was asking this (strike suspension) while the workers’ emotions and zeal are running at the highest peak you can imagine.. The inevitable happened.. the dude was screwed. The workers almost killed him, seriously I’m not joking. But he was saved at the last moment by the strike leaders.

My hearts and thoughts go out to the Mahalla strikers. I hope I start seeing some solidarity movement by the Socialist Students in Cairo, Ain Shams, Helwan and Alexandria Universities soon.

“There’s no way they can break this one”

Posted on By 3arabawy

I was just on the phone with a Socialist activist in Mahalla, who was also part of the December 2006 strike. Here are some quick notes from him.

The strike is solid… from 10,000 to 15,000 workers slept over in the factory. Men, women, and children who came to join the strikers. During daytime the numbers increase and could border on 20,000… “I can safely say it’s much stronger than the December (2006) move,” he said. “The government will have to negotiate. There’s no way they can break this one.”

The activist also confirmed what Kareem el-Beheiri was complaining about regarding the weak solidarity coming from the Muslim Brothers. “They are hardly noticed. But I can virtually see all other political forces present. There’s a good spirit of cooperation among everyone.”

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.