Down with Capitalist Power… Full Solidarity with the Workers of Ceramica La Beauté on the Tenth of Ramadan

Statement by the Revolutionary Socialists

The relentless campaign by the ruthless capitalist system hasn’t stopped at arresting political activists and shutting down party offices—it’s now going after the leaders of the labor movement, who are fighting against the raging fires of poverty and exorbitant prices.

The “brute force” has now targeted the workers’ leaders at Ceramica La Beauté in the Tenth of Ramadan City, pressuring them to end their strike, which has stretched since February 3rd of this year. The workers simply demand the payment of overdue wages and an annual salary increase.

Security forces stormed into the workers’ homes, arresting those chosen by their colleagues to negotiate with the factory management and sign collective agreements on their behalf. The forces smashed through their homes’ iron gates, leaving their families and loved ones terrified. They even assaulted the workers, as happened with Mohamed Afifi. During the raid, Mohamed Abdel Hakim Hashem fell from a third-floor balcony, suffering several rib fractures. He’s now in Al-Ahrar Hospital in Zagazig, unable to move, with police guards posted at his bed.

Security forces are still hunting down others after the public prosecutor, acting on false reports from the investor, issued arrest warrants for about 20 workers.

This is all happening while the Ministry of Manpower and other state agencies side with the investor, who receives enormous support from the head of the regime to crush the workers and rake in huge profits.
The workers’ demands, which led them to strike after the employer posted an incendiary notice limiting the annual raise to just seven percent of the basic salary, are entirely justified. The basic wage for factory workers ranges from four hundred to five hundred pounds, meaning the raise for each worker wouldn’t exceed forty pounds—hardly enough to keep up with rising costs and soaring prices. The employer has also dodged a collective labor agreement from 2012, which states that the raise should be fifteen percent annually, official holidays should count as overtime, a risk allowance of 250 pounds should be provided, and a cost of living allowance of 200 to 300 pounds should be given due to rising prices, as well as medical care for all factory workers, and the dissolution and complete restructuring of the union committee.

The Revolutionary Socialists movement stands in unwavering solidarity with the La Beauté workers and supports their right to strike and sit in to demand their rights. It calls on all Egyptian workers, especially those in the Tenth of Ramadan City, to show solidarity with the striking workers. It also urges political, labor, and trade union forces to support these workers in stopping this vicious campaign that targets workers, professionals, and activists alike.

Long live the struggle of the working class… Long live the struggle of the Egyptian people.