The Mahalla Strike: A Step Forward

Statement by the Revolutionary Socialists

After 14 days of striking, management committed to meeting the workers’ demands, and on Sunday, they posted an official notice signed by the General Commissioner based on instructions from the Holding Company for Cotton and Textile. The notice promised a 10% bonus and an increase in the meal allowance to 90 Egyptian pounds. The workers postponed their strike until after the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Fourteen days of striking, with marches that reverberated throughout the company and its surroundings, were enough to secure the workers’ main demands. The Mahalla workers remained steadfast for two weeks despite threats and intimidation. The media unleashed a smear campaign, falsely claiming that “terrorist groups” were behind the strike to frighten the workers. Meanwhile, an overwhelming security presence surrounded the company, turning the city into a virtual military zone.

The workers swiftly responded to the heavy security presence with the chant: “Where is Mahalla? The workers are here!”—sending a clear message: if you bring security, we’ll get the uprising.
With this simple yet powerful response, the workers drew on their long history of resistance in the face of all threats. They organized themselves through natural leaders, were completely independent of the union committee, and were aligned with management. They were innovative in advancing the strike and keeping it strong. They led marches day and night, beat drums that unsettled management, and even carried coffins symbolizing the union, the board of directors, and those who betrayed and defamed their strike in the media, especially Ahmed Moussa.

The Mahalla strike came at one of the most challenging times. Nearly all labor strikes in Egypt in recent times have been crushed and left defeated in their demands. The Egyptian working class has faced real oppression: mass layoffs, arrests, and military trials for those who participated in strikes, all while the political space remains tightly shut under an aggressive, authoritarian regime.

For all these reasons, the Mahalla strike was crucial in its timing. It came during callous conditions, and one of its most significant achievements was reaffirming the workers’ right to strike, especially in the face of skyrocketing prices and declining wages, and against policies that push people into poverty. The Mahalla strike and the commitments it forced from management have significantly boosted all Egyptian workers, particularly in the textile industry.

The state’s deliberate delay in addressing the demands was a calculated gamble, hoping the workers would lose momentum. However, the state eventually gave in as the protests grew and anger mounted. In the coming days, the state will likely try to downplay the strike’s significance, possibly targeting the strike leaders through administrative or security means. The only protection for these leaders will be their colleagues’ solidarity and willingness to take action in their defense.

The real victory for the Mahalla workers is that they have stood up to the oppressive conditions and opened the door to resistance. The Mahalla strike is a call to all workers in Egypt, and to all of us, to resist and organize. Protesting is the only solution to confront the policies of hunger and impoverishment. The path of resistance is long for Mahalla, Egypt’s workers, and the broader public. But more rounds of struggle are on the horizon.

The strike is a legitimate right—against poverty and against hunger.
Stay strong, Mahalla… Long live the struggle of the working class!