CAIRO: Textile workers at the Egypt Weaving and Textile Company in Mahalla announced a workers strike beginning on September 10. Some 22,000 workers are expected to join the demonstrations. Their demands include financial rights and the resignation of corrupt leaders. Last Friday, the workers published an outline of their grievances and demands, calling for public support. The demands include an increase in capital investment in the factory and adequate supplies of raw cotton. It also calls for a raise in the minimum wage and the organization of regular and fair internal elections. Strikes by Mahalla workers in 2006 and 2008 were a key step in organizing popular protests against the former regime of ousted President Hosni Mubarak. Some argue that these strikes helped to predicate the January 25 Revolution. The Mahalla workers strikes also played a significant role in struggles against the Mubarak-controlled Egyptian Federation of Trade Unions. Last month, Prime Minister Essam Sharaf decided to dismiss the old executive board of the union. Meanwhile, Post Authority workers in 9 governorates across Egypt are continuing a strike that began on August 25, slated to demand financial rights and oppose corruption. BM
