3 Responses to “Egyptian textile workers confront the new economic order”  

1. 1 Ethan Mar 27th, 2007 at 5:29 pm

   Hi Hossam-
   I’ll post here my two questions about this excellent article that I posted over at Arabist too:

   - Why, when female workers were clearly the most active and militant segment of workers striking at Misr Spinning and Weaving, were no women interviewed for this article?

   - Just out of curiosity, can anyone contribute some thoughts as to where the leftist movements stand in relation to these workers, and where the Brotherhood stands in relation to these workers? How do these strikes fit into the political debate? Why ISN’T Kifaya et. al. trying to hook up with these workers and organize solidarity with them?

2. 2 Hossam el-Hamalawy Mar 27th, 2007 at 5:57 pm

   -We chose to tell the story of the strike through Attar and Habib, coz they were among the most influential in the strike leadership. And, Ethan, I think it’s obvious that while you have to interview as many as possible for your story in the course of your research, you cannot include a quote from every single man and woman you interview for the story.
   -Your second question needs an article to write, and not just few words. But briefly, some leftist organizations have presence in the factories mainly in the north, hardly in upper Egypt. The MB has not built a substantial base up till now, hindered by their pro-privatization stand, but the MPs in the constituencies where there were strikes, they did help on occasions by getting food supplies to the strkers.
   Regarding your question about Kefaya, you seem to forget Kefaya is an umbrella. There are already leftist factions which are part of Kefaya’s coalition, that are organizing in solidarity with the strikes, and there are factions which are doing nothing.

3. 3 ethan Mar 29th, 2007 at 12:31 am

   Sorry if that seemed like a hostile question! Didn’t intend it to be, was just curious. Obviously you can’t quote everyone. I’m just curious–a little light flashed in my head when he was quoted saying “the women were more militant than the men”–why not give them some space to speak for themselves then? Did you actually have a chance to interview them?

   Re the second question, yes, this seems like a big topic. Too much to handle, I realize.